Mount Etna eruption intensifies as global volcanic activity rises

Mount Etna in Italy experienced heightened eruptive activity from 6‑12 July 2026, with strombolian explosions, ash plumes and renewed gas emissions from its summit fissures. The INGV reported that explosive activity ceased briefly on 7 July before gas output increased again later in the week.

The weekly volcanic report (9‑15 July) noted new unrest at five volcanoes: Bagana (Papua New Guinea), Etna (Italy), Kanlaon (Philippines), Krakatau (Indonesia) and Kuchinoerabujima (Japan). Ongoing activity continued at 23 other volcanoes worldwide, including Stromboli (Italy), Popocatépetl (Mexico), Kilauea (United States) and several Indonesian, Russian, Colombian, Ecuadorian, Costa Rican and Peruvian systems. Ash plumes from Bagana rose to about 2.7 km and drifted south‑southeast, while Etna’s ash and gas emissions posed local aviation and health advisories.