Mount Etna volcanic cloud reaches Libya after crossing Mediterranean

Mount Etna, located in Sicily, Italy, experienced intense volcanic activity starting Friday, August 7, 2026, with activity peaking between August 9 and August 10. A volcanic cloud containing sulfur dioxide (SO2) traveled across the Mediterranean Sea, reaching the North African coast near Tripoli, Libya.

Scientists from the National Observatory of Athens used data from the European Copernicus program’s Sentinel-5P satellite to track the movement of the cloud. By monitoring SO2 concentrations rather than just visible ash, researchers were able to accurately map the trajectory and extent of the emissions, distinguishing the volcanic gases from other atmospheric particles like dust.