Etna opens new vent in Valle del Bove after intense lava fountaining, ash disrupts Catania airport, Italy

Strong Strombolian activity continued at Etna’s Voragine crater at 10:38 LT (08:38 UTC) on August 7, 2026, after an overnight lava-fountain phase progressively weakened. The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) reported ashfall at Ragalna and Adrano, lava flows in Valle del Leone and a new eruptive vent in Valle del Bove, while incoming flights at Catania Airport were temporarily suspended.

INGV reported that Strombolian activity at Voragine progressively intensified from about 21:30 LT (19:30 UTC) on August 6 before evolving into lava fountaining. Volcanic tremor began increasing sharply at about 21:00 LT (19:00 UTC), reaching the high-value range with its source localized beneath Voragine at approximately 2 900 – 3 000 m (9 510 – 9 840 feet) above sea level.

The lava fountain increased sharply and remained at high intensity from approximately 01:00 LT (23:00 UTC on August 6) until 04:00 LT (02:00 UTC) on August 7 before progressively weakening. Strong Strombolian activity was continuing at Voragine at 10:38 LT (08:38 UTC), producing an eruptive cloud directed toward the south-southwest.

Ashfall was reported at Ragalna and Adrano, while lava flows were present in Valle del Leone. A new eruptive vent opened at approximately 09:30 LT (07:30 UTC) in Valle del Bove at an elevation of about 2 750 m (9 020 feet), prompting INGV to organize field surveys.

Catania Airport operator SAC Società Aeroporto Catania S.p.A. (SAC) introduced a temporary suspension of incoming flights early on August 7, and organized train transport to other airports. All airspace sectors were placed back in operation at 11:45 LT (09:45 UTC), following a downgrade of Aviation Color Code from Red to Orange. The airport advised passengers to check the status of their flight with their airline before heading to the airport.

#Etna: ieri sera si è anche formata una nuova (doppia) cascata di lava che dal cratere Voragine si è riversata direttamente all’interno del cratere di Nord-Est.

Video di Francesco Isaia pic.twitter.com/Itu3FOyxZI

— Il Mondo dei Terremoti (@mondoterremoti) July 31, 2026

#Etna – L’eruzione continua.

Il Cratere Voragine sta producendo una vivace attività stromboliana accompagnata da modeste emissioni di cenere in direzione di Catania. Intanto una nuova colata si sta gettando all’interno del Cratere Nord-Est!

Video di Giorgio Costa pic.twitter.com/DURteNHDkF

— Il Mondo dei Terremoti (@mondoterremoti) August 7, 2026

Volcanic tremor reached its maximum amplitude at around 23:30 LT (21:30 UTC) on August 6 before decreasing while remaining within the high-value range, with its source still beneath Voragine at an elevation of about 3 000 m (9 840 feet).

Infrasonic activity was high in number and energy until about 01:00 LT (23:00 UTC on August 6) before decreasing sharply. GNSS networks showed no significant changes, while summit tiltmeters recorded maximum variations of about 2.5 microradians at the Cratere del Piano station.

The Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) retained a Red aviation color code in an advisory issued at 10:00 LT (08:00 UTC) on August 7. At 09:50 LT (07:50 UTC), ash was rising up to 6 km (20 000 feet) a.s.l., based on satellite observations, moving south at approximately 19 km/h (12 mph). The center reported that the plume remained visible in satellite imagery, with the most significant ash concentrations mainly over Sicily.

References:

1 Comunicato Etna – INGV – August 7, 2026