Mount Etna Erupts From Northeast Crater as Italy Issues Red Aviation Alert

Overview

• INGV reported powerful explosions on December 28 from Etna’s northeast crater, sending ash and a lava flow of about 1.8 km toward the Valle del Bove.
• Authorities elevated the aviation alert to red and moved the local alert to yellow, initiating preparedness measures and guidance for residents and visitors.
• Current monitoring describes ongoing strombolian activity with pyroclastic jets up to 100 meters from an opening near the Voragine crater and ash drifting to the west.
• The northeast crater has been quiet for several hours and the lava from the Voragine flank opening appears temporarily halted, with volcanic tremor high but stable and no significant ground deformation detected.
• Catania-Fontanarossa airport remains fully operational with no reported flight interruptions, as widely shared videos show ash columns and lava set against recent snowfall.