In August, Mount Etna intensifies its activity, as if seeking to promote tourism in the final part of the season! And as it had already done in the winter, it draws the attention and attracts tourists with new eruptive activity… yet to be fully defined. A new fracture has opened at an altitude of 3,000 meters at the base of the Northeast and Bocca Nuova craters. While a first attempt ended after a few hours, the second eruption seems to have begun with greater force.
The eruption of August 14
The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology – INGV – has issued the official statement regarding this new eruptive episode: surveillance cameras observe a lava flow in the summit area, with the lava flow progressing southward. Volcanic tremor remains within the average range, showing an increasing trend; The sources are located at an altitude of approximately 2,900 meters above sea level between the Voragine and Northeast craters. Infrasonic activity is low in both number and magnitude, and localized events are found in the Northeast crater. Signals from ground deformation monitoring networks show no significant variations.
All this means that the lava is flowing from the new effusive vent “calmly” and without degassing or explosions. This eruption, therefore, is very similar to the one in February 2025, when the flow reached and cut the path of the Pista Altomontana on the western slope.
Currently, the new stream is flowing down the southwest slope, following a path parallel to -but further south- than the February one. Again, if it continues, the lava could cut the path at another point.
How the eruption is progressing
Passione Etna Facebook page explains: the eruption continues, and today (August 17) the latest news is that weak spattering (throwing debris near the vent) has begun at the fracture. The most advanced lava front has reached 2,400 meters and reached the first high-altitude plants in the direction of the 1610 cone. Currently, the spattering is very weak, but it’s something to consider if you want to get closer.
The same page informs us that the area where the lava arm is currently located is very steep, inaccessible, and far from any type of trail, therefore accessible only to experts and those truly accustomed to not getting lost on this mountain. What about other tourists? Will they have to miss out on this spectacle?
Eruption: Tips for Tourists
No, tourists shouldn’t miss out on the spectacle. The eruption is currently clearly visible from the entire southern and part of the western slopes of Etna. The most spectacular views are from Belpasso, Biancavilla, and Adrano. But the lava flow’s glow can be admired equally well from Paternò, Bronte, Mascalucia, and—to a lesser extent—even from Trecastagni and Catania.
The ideal is to hire a guide and let him/her take you to the best spots to enjoy the fire show in a safe and controlled manner. There are plenty of panoramic viewpoints, and your guide, an expert on the area, will lead you to the best ones. Getting close to the lava flow is currently not recommended, not only because of the difficult terrain but also because the eruption’s evolution is still unknown.
In any case, even if you are allowed to get close, ALWAYS GO WITH A GUIDE. If you can’t make it to Catania, admire the spectacular images in Michele Mammino’s videos ( HERE).
Eruption: Tips for the Media
Even though sensationalism, driven by clicks, is all the rage these days, we advise the media to be cautious with sensational headlines and artfully constructed “fake news.” Mount Etna is a perfectly controlled, monitored and safe volcano in many respects. Creating alarm over a “normal” and spectacular event like an effusive eruption would mean a huge loss for Catania’s tourism… and for no reason at all!
Before writing an article, do your research. The INGV website, which is always up-to-date, is this: https://www.ct.ingv.it/. Before creating a headline, be sure of what you’re writing. Fear doesn’t always make the news; sometimes it creates unjustified and harmful alarmism. It’s better to share helpful guidelines on how to experience such a unique and beautiful event firsthand. (PHOTOS BY G. MUSUMECI)