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Now VOLCANO ETNA Really Frightens Italy as CAMPI FLEGREI! Intense Explosive Activity After the August Earthquake. (VIDEO). US Hiker Dies in the Summit
The eruption of the Siphon crater is pictured in a screenshot from a video by the State Forestry Corps of the Sicily Region, which is closely monitoring the volcano’s activity and safely accompanying numerous tourists on excursions.
By Gospa News Editorial Staff
POSTED ON AUGUST 17, 2026
Etna: Red alert for aviation returns, ash cloud to the southeast
A new surge in activity on Etna has triggered a renewed red alert for air traffic. The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, Etna Observatory, has issued a new VONA (Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation) warning of intense explosive activity.
This follows the August 15 earthquake on the mountain, which occurred just days after the more powerful one that caused extensive damage to the Campi Flegrei supercaldera, where a devastating resumption of volcanic activity is feared.
The bulletin highlights ashfall in the area southeast of the volcano, with an ash cloud constantly moving in the same direction. The phenomenon, constantly monitored by thermal and visible surveillance cameras, marks an increase in alertness compared to previous warnings, which were at code orange.
Restrictions on Flights Arriving in Catania
“Due to Etna’s eruptive activity and the associated emission of volcanic ash into the atmosphere, the areas corresponding to sectors B1 and B2 have been closed. Incoming flight activity is limited to five aircraft per hour until 2:00 PM today. No restrictions on departures.”
SAC (Catania Airport) announced this morning in a statement, urging “passengers to check the status of their flights with their airlines before traveling to the airport.”
Etna is making its voice heard again with a new and intense eruptive phase. According to the monitoring system of the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) – Etna Observatory in Catania, a sharp increase in volcanic activity was recorded at the summit craters throughout the day on August 16th.
Earthquake on Etna: Increase in Volcanic Tremor
The findings show a resumption of Strombolian activity at the Voragine crater, accompanied by an intensification of ash emission from the northeast crater. Forecast models indicate that the ash plumes generated by the explosions have dispersed in a southeasterly direction across the volcano’s summit area.
From a seismic perspective, technicians report a sharp increase in volcanic tremor, culminating in the mid-August earthquake (read below).
Etna, US hiker struck by lightning on volcano dies: he had ventured into restricted area
The extraordinary influx of people continues near Etna’s lava flow, which continues to be fed. Meanwhile, disruptions to air travel in Sicily continue due to the eruption and the resulting volcanic ash emission, but a thirty-year-old hiker has lost his life after being struck by lightning while on Etna.
According to initial reports, the hiker was a US citizen who had ventured into the restricted area to observe the volcano’s summit up close. At midday, when a violent thunderstorm struck the area where he was located, he was reportedly struck by an electrical discharge.
He was found in agony a few hours later. Despite emergency medical services, he was taken by helicopter by firefighters, but was already dead.
Earthquake on Mount Etna on August 15th: Magnitude 3.9 shock in Linguaglossa
At 12:24 p.m. on August, 15, 2026, the earth shook in the province of Catania.
The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) recorded a magnitude 3.9 earthquake with its epicenter near Linguaglossa. The hypocenter, located just 1 kilometer below the surface, amplified the perception of earthquake movement among the population.
The magnitude 3.9 earthquake felt in the late morning in the Catania area, with its epicenter 7 kilometers from Linguaglossa, was “triggered by the opening of the Pernicana fault linked to volcanic activity.” Salvo Cocina, head of the Sicilian Civil Protection Department, explained this on his social media channels.
Cocina also lists the initial damage reported: “The road to Piano Provenzana, in the Ragabo Clan dei Ragazzi area, is broken.” “The restaurants in the area have been evacuated as a precaution,” he adds. “There are no reports of further damage. Investigations are underway. Civil Protection, Forestry, the Municipality, and the Province are on site.”
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