This time, it seems to have really started. On the morning of Sunday, July 5, 2026, around 9:00 a.m., a tall column of ash rose from the summit of Mount Etna, surprising all the foothill villages on a beautiful day with excellent visibility. Tourists, already ascending toward the volcano, and residents, literally watched the eruption at the Voragine crater begin… the one they had long been waiting for. It remains to understand, whether this is truly the final event or just a dress rehearsal for something else.
The INGV statement
The Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology of Catania (INGV) issued the official statement late this morning: INGV reports that at approximately 05:45 UTC, ash emissions began from the mouth of the Voragine crater, generating an eruption cloud approximately 1.5 km high above the volcano’s summit and directed toward the S and SSE.
Ash emission then intensified, as mentioned, starting at 9:00 a.m. and has continued, with sudden pauses and small “slowdowns,” for several hours. A tourist spectacle is therefore assured: but what should we expect in technical terms?
Voragine Crater: what’s the situation up there?
Voragine is not just any crater. Of the four currently active atop Etna, this one holds the record for height, exceeding 3,400 meters above sea level.
Today, Voragine is effectively the volcano’s main peak and still alternates between periods of quiet and violent eruptions. In recent days, a noticeable fracture line has begun to mark the crater’s eastern wall. The crack runs horizontally and vertically, cutting a “slice” of ground that appears poised to collapse! However, the structure is holding up and currently appears unwilling to put on a spectacle. At the base of the Voragine, in June 2026, a small eruptive vent opened, expelling very dense, slow-moving magma without significant degassing. Initially, it seemed detached, but now we know there is some connection.
What will happen after this paroxysm is still difficult to say. Therefore, we invite you to follow our constantly updated website. Photos taken from various points along the Etna foothills (SEE PHOTO AT SIDE, BY PIERO BERTINO) show signs of some fractures near the Voragine crater, specifically on the flank of the Northeast crater. So the situation is constantly evolving, and all that remains is… waiting and seeing!
Tourism during an Etna paroxysm
Given the current situation, if you travel to Etna during these hours or in the days following, check with the INGV in Catania beforehand regarding conditions and always hire an expert local guide. Following a guide on an excursion to an erupting volcano is a fascinating experience, but it requires attention, respect for the rules, and awareness of the risks.
Volcanology and environmental guides know the area, observe the volcano’s changes, and have the necessary training to accompany visitors safely. For this reason, it is essential to always listen to their instructions and never leave the group. Before the ascent, the guide provides information on the route, the volcano’s conditions, and the rules to follow. Especially on a volcano like Etna, the situationt can change rapidly: gas emissions, volcanic material falls, or changes in weather conditions may occur.
The guide continuously monitors these aspects and can decide to modify the route or interrupt the excursion if necessary. Following these decisions is essential to protect your safety and that of other participants. ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT YOU SHOULD NEVER “JOKE” WITH AN ACTIVE VOLCANO .
(Photos by G. Musumeci and P. Bertino)