Overview
- Short-lived lava fountains on December 27 reached roughly 150–200 meters before summit activity fell back to sporadic ash emissions, according to INGV.
- A new vent on the upper eastern flank of the Voragine crater fed a lava flow directed toward the upper Valle del Bove, with its extent to be confirmed by field inspections.
- Light ashfall was recorded in Taormina and at the Piano Provenzana ski area, and intermittent blasts at Bocca Nuova lofted incandescent material tens of meters above the rim.
- Monitoring showed elevated volcanic tremor and measurable deformation, including temporary summit deflation during the fountaining phase documented by strain and tilt sensors.
- Regional civil protection temporarily raised local alerts and aviation notices were issued, while Catania airport reported operations continuing and some media claims overstated visual heights relative to official measurements.