The good news (for tourism) is that calm has returned to the skies above Etna. Catania airport has reopened and has been operating normally for at least a week. No more roars, clouds of ash, or spectacular lava flows in Valle del Bove. The eruption that began on August 6th seems finally over. If not entirely, then at least in its most acute phase. Can we really put an end to this eruptive event that—despite all its inconveniences—has nevertheless created great excitement and considerable work for the volcano’s infrastructure?
Let’s recap…
The eruption of Etna from August 6th to 16th, 2026, was one of the most significant volcanic events of the Sicilian summer this year, characterized by a complex succession of explosive and effusive activity that primarily affected the Voragine crater and various sectors of the Valle del Bove.
The episode began at dawn on August 6, 2026, intensifying in the evening, when Strombolian activity at the Voragine crater erupted into particularly energetic lava fountains between 11:00 PM on August 6 and the early hours of August 7. The INGV-Osservatorio Etneo simultaneously documented the formation of small lava flows and the opening of new eruptive vents along the flank of the volcano. On August 7, a vent opened at approximately 3,200 meters above sea level, fueling a lava flow heading northeast toward the Valle del Leone, while a few hours later, a new vent at approximately 2,750 meters gave rise to several lava flows that rapidly headed toward the Valle del Bove.
The situation evolved further on August 8, with the opening of another eruptive vent at approximately 2,360 meters above sea level, near Mount Rittmann . The opening was accompanied by two modest pyroclastic flows linked to the collapse and mobilization of volcanic material, while the lava continued to feed a complex lava field.
A “nasty” volcano
In the following days, Etna’s eruption in August 2026 maintained a high level of variability. The Voragine crater continued to produce Strombolian activity, ash emissions, and pyroclastic fallout, while vents along the volcano’s flanks fed lava flows that advanced into the Valle del Bove. On August 10, a new vent opened at approximately 1,900 meters above sea level, generating a further lava flow in an east-southeast direction. On August 11, the opening of a vent was also reported at approximately 2,090 meters, at the base of the northern wall of the Valle del Bove.
One of the most notable aspects of Etna’s eruption from August 6 to 16, 2026, was its complex nature: not a single explosive episode, but a sequence of phenomena involving simultaneous Strombolian activity, lava fountains, ash emissions, lateral vent openings, and lava flows. INGV monitoring allowed the evolution of the activity to be followed through seismic networks, cameras, field observations, drones, and satellite data—essential tools for assessing the position of the vents and the advance of the lava fronts in real time. The activity on August 13th was also particularly significant, when the Northeast Crater displayed significant infrasonic activity, while the vents associated with the Voragine reached high energy levels.
Despite the constant vigilance of INGV researchers, the reports were consistently contradicted by Etna, a capricious volcano that doesn’t like to be “banal” and continually surprises. Thus, after about a day and a half of relative quiet, activity at the Voragine resumed in the second half of August 16th, marking a new phase of the eruptive episode.
The Ash Drama
The presence of volcanic ash also affected Sicilian air traffic, particularly at Catania Airport, where operations were affected by the dispersion of the eruption cloud and the need to ensure air navigation safety. News reports reported cancellations, diversions, and significant disruption to passengers during the days of peak activity.
For the Etna area, the eruption once again demonstrated the unique dynamics of Europe’s highest and most active volcano. Etna, in fact, can rapidly transition from phases of relative calm to intense explosive activity, with phenomena that can develop quickly and rapidly alter the hazard scenario. The INGV emphasizes how Etna’s characteristics allow for sudden changes in volcanic phenomena, which is why continuous monitoring plays a crucial role. Etna’s eruption from August 6 to 16, 2026, thus falls within a particularly turbulent season for the Sicilian volcano, which has already seen other eruptive episodes in previous months, including the one that began on July 30 and continued until early August.
Future forecasts: can we really make them?
Since August 20, Etna appears to have calmed down. Despite two earthquakes on the north side, which caused damage (a 20 cm crack) along the Mareneve road in the Linguaglossa area, all parameters seem to indicate that this eruption is over.
However, the tremor is not abating. It remains in the “yellow-red” range, that is, medium tending towards high, and shows no signs of abating. If the tremors persist, the volcano still has something to say! And indeed, while the Voragine has returned to “rest,” the nearby Northeast Crater has been emitting light plumes of gray ash for a few days. The ash is not very dense, and therefore not dangerous, and disperses in the summit area and doesn’t block aircraft. However, there is still some ash emission… a sign that the activity is still ongoing.
Keep your cameras ready! With Etna, you never know what can happen. Most likely, this is just a long pause between one eruption and the next. All that remains is to wait and see. (PHOTOS G MUSUMECI)