The “New Year’s Day” eruption, which brought spectacle and a bit of anxiety to the foothill villages of Etna, can now be officially considered over. The fissure, which opened at low altitude at dawn on January 1, 2026, had poured rivers of lava up to 1,300 meters above sea level (as the crow flies, just 5 km from the town of Milo, although in practice the lava would have rarely reached that point).

Last week, the lava rivers had cooled, but the magma in the fissure upstream remained active. Today, however, the INGV declared all activity ended. At least on this side. Indeed, at high altitude, Etna is continuing to emit puffs of steam and ash, small explosions from the Northeast and the Voragine craters. A sign that it is simply looking for… another way to put on its next show! When? We’ll find out. Perhaps soon. (PHOTO BY G. MUSUMECI)