[CLSTR]
< Back to situation

[REVISION HISTORY]

Etna eruption continues, ash plume reaches 7 km

Updated 1 time since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-07-30 13:29 UTC → 2026-07-31 10:19 UTC · added removed

Mount Etna’s renewed activity, which began on 5 July 2024, has remained remains a dominant concern for Sicily’s aviation and transport sector. Initial eruptions produced ash plumes up to 4.5 km, prompting a red aviation colour code, the closure of Catania‑Fontanarossa Airport and massive passenger diversions. Civil‑protection authorities deployed shuttle buses, special trains and volunteers to assist stranded travellers, while airline operators faced criticism over passenger support. Throughout July 2024 the volcano displayed After intermittent strombolian explosions and gas emissions, with brief pauses in activity followed by renewed output. Satellite monitoring tracked sulphur‑dioxide plumes across the Mediterranean, affecting air quality in Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt. The International Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) included Etna among five globally restless volcanoes during the 9‑15 July period. By 30 emissions through July 2026 2024, the eruption volcano entered a new phase on 30 July 2026 at the Voragine crater, generating a crater. A small pyroclyastic flow toward descended the desertic Valle del Bove that did not endanger inhabited zones. An and an ash cloud rose to roughly seven kilometres, with fallout reported 7 km, depositing ash in Bronte. INGV issued The eruption intensified briefly, with strombolian bursts giving way to lava fountains before gradually weakening. Seismic tremor amplitudes stayed high before a red‑alert Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation, temporarily closing rapid decline, and infrasonic signals remained low. Aviation alerts (VONA) were reduced from red to orange, allowing flights to continue operating from Catania’s Vincenzo Bellini airport while the airspace over nearby Catania‑Fontanarossa airport remained closed earlier in the volcano, although crisis. A separate lava flow was observed in the Catania–Vincenzo Bellini Airport stayed open. Seismic tremor levels have eased but remain elevated as authorities continue high‑altitude Valle del Leone (≈2.7 km), sending ash southwest toward Monte Denza. INGV continues close monitoring. monitoring of seismic, infrasonic and deformation data and stands ready to issue further notices if conditions evolve.

Versions

  1. 2026-07-31 10:19 UTC Etna eruption continues, ash plume reaches 7 km
  2. 2026-07-30 13:29 UTC Etna eruption continues, ash plume reaches 7 km

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.