Mount Etna eruption begins June 26 2026 with modest lava flow

On the afternoon of 26 June 2026 a fissure opened near the northeast crater of Mount Etna at roughly 3,000 m altitude, producing a small, weakly fed lava flow that is moving toward the isolated Valle del Leone. The flow is confined to rugged terrain far from settlements, and the Instituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGU) reports no immediate threat to residential areas.

During the night of 25‑26 June, weak and irregular Strombolian activity was observed at the Voragine crater, and seismic monitoring shows a steady increase in volcanic tremor centered near the same altitude. No significant ground deformation has been detected, and no aviation alerts have been issued yet, though air‑traffic authorities are assessing possible VONA level updates. INGV continues to monitor the eruption, noting that early‑stage activity can intensify but presently poses limited risk.