Effusive vents and explosive activity persist at Mount Etna’s Southeast Crater, Italy

Strombolian explosions and effusive lava flows persisted at Mount Etna’s Southeast Crater, Sicily, from August 14– 25, 2025, with active vents at approximately 2 980 m (9 777 feet), 3 100 m (10 170 feet), and 3 200 m (10 500 feet) above sea level and volcanic tremor levels remaining moderate to elevated.

The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology – Etna Observatory (INGV-OE) continues to monitor sustained volcanic activity at Mount Etna’s Southeast Crater.

On August 14, a new effusive vent opened along a north–south fissure between Bocca Nuova and the Southeast Crater, at elevation of about 2 980 m (9 777 feet). The vent produced a lava flow that advanced southwest, reaching an elevation of approximately 2 270 m (7 450 feet) on the southern flank by August 20. The front approached the Grotta degli Archi area, forming overlapping branches influenced by local topography.

Additional effusive vents became active during this period. A vent at about 3 100 m (10 170 feet) continued to feed a lava field advancing southwest, while another at about 3 200 m (10 500 feet) on the southern flank of the Southeast Crater released spattering and supplied a lava field composed of multiple lobes flowing south and southwest.

Strombolian explosions at the Southeast Crater ejected incandescent pyroclastic material beyond the rim, accompanied by sporadic weak ash emissions rapidly dispersed by winds.

Seismic monitoring indicated a gradual increase in tremor amplitude beginning around 21:30 UTC on August 24, maintaining values in the elevated range. Infrasonic signals were discontinuous but localized at the Southeast Crater, with low to medium amplitude.

Ground deformation measurements from GNSS and tilt networks showed no significant variations. The DRUV dilatometric station recorded ongoing decompression, with a cumulative change of approximately –35 nanostrain since the onset of effusive activity.

The Aviation Color Code was raised to Red at 19:54 UTC on August 25 due to strong Strombolian activity and ash emissions at the summit craters. Activity decreased overnight, and the code was lowered back to Orange at 04:19 UTC on August 26.

Featured image credit: INGV

Reet Kaur

I’m a science journalist and researcher at The Watchers, contributing to the Epicenter edition, where I cover peer-reviewed scientific research and emerging discoveries across Earth and space sciences. With a background in astronomy and a passion for environmental science, I’ve worked in shark and coral conservation in Fiji, conducting reef and shark-behavior research, contributing to mangrove restoration, and earning PADI Open Water and Coral Reef Certifications. I bring a blend of scientific rigor and storytelling to illuminate the discoveries shaping our planet and beyond.

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