Overview
- INGV reported two paroxysmal eruptions at the Northeast Crater on December 27, with lava fountains up to 500 meters and eruptive columns rising beyond 10 kilometers above sea level.
- A new vent on the upper eastern flank of the Voragine crater produced a short lava flow toward the Valle del Bove that is now only weakly fed.
- The Aviation Color Code was raised to Red on December 27 and VONA advisories were issued as tremor and infrasound reached very high levels.
- Winds carried light ash to nearby areas including Taormina and the Piano Provenzana ski zone, while intermittent explosions were also observed at Bocca Nuova.
- By December 28–29 activity had declined to strombolian bursts and sporadic ash with stable high tremor, regional alerts remained precautionary, and Catania airport operations continued with only limited delays reported.