Explosive ash emissions at Etna volcano reach 11 000 m (36 100 feet) a.s.l., Italy

Volcanic ash from Etna in Italy was observed at 11 000 m (36 100 feet) above sea level at 09:45 UTC on December 27, 2025. The advisory was issued by Toulouse VAAC at 10:02 UTC on the same day.

The VAAC advisory reported ongoing explosive activity with an ash cloud reaching flight level 360, which corresponds to approximately 11 000 m (36 100 feet). The current Aviation Color Code is Red. Forecast charts indicated no ash cloud expected at later forecast intervals. All information is based on data provided by INGV.

No recent summary from the Smithsonian/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for Etna is available in the latest feed. For ongoing and detailed monitoring, regional observatories and the Global Volcanism Program provide updates.

Etna is a large stratovolcano located on the island of Sicily, Italy. It is one of the world’s most active volcanoes and is known for frequent explosive eruptions, lava flows, and significant ashfall events. The city of Catania, with a population of over 300 000 people, lies around 30 km (19 miles) south of the summit, and numerous smaller towns are located on its flanks, making timely advisories critical for aviation and local populations.