Mount Etna VONA alert lowered to orange amid ongoing ash emissions

Mount Etna has seen a shift in its volcanic activity status, with the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) lowering the Volcanic Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA) from red to orange on September 6, 2026. While the alert level has decreased, a weak emission of ash is still occurring and is being dispersed toward the southwest.

Experts note that the volcano remains highly unpredictable. Gian Mattia Bazzoli has highlighted that while the system is continuously monitored, the rapid changes in Etna's behavior make it impossible to forecast exactly how long eruptive phases will last or when new vents might open. The current activity follows a long period of eruptive phases involving both summit craters and the volcano's flanks.