Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV) reported that an eruption at Etna continued during 3-9 July, with activity intensifying on 4 July and producing substantial ashfall in areas downwind during 4-7 July. Strombolian activity at Voragine Crater intensified during 2-3 July and lava continued to flow into Bocca Nuova Crater. During the evening of 3 July Dipartimento della Protezione Civile raised the Alert Level to Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-level scale). Strombolian activity at Voragine notably intensified during the morning of 4 July and tremor amplitude further increased around 1420. Two lava flows from two vents located on the SE and NW sides of the growing scoria cone continued to flow into the Bocca Nuova. Bombs and scoria were ejected hundreds of meters high. The Strombolian activity changed to tall lava fountaining at 1815 and produced ash-and-gas plumes that rose to about 4.5 km a.s.l., or over 1.1 km above the summit, and drifted SE. Notable ashfall was reported in several areas downwind as far as Catania (29 km SSE). The lava fountaining gradually decreased through the night and ceased at around 0350 on 5 July; about an hour of Strombolian activity followed. Ash-and-gas emissions continued to rise to the same height as the previous day and drifted SE. Significant ashfall was reported in areas downwind and beyond Syracuse, 60-80 km SSE. According to a news article the airport in Catania closed due to ash on the runways; operations resumed by 1500, though some flight restrictions were in place.

The amplitude of volcanic tremor fluctuated between medium and high levels. Strombolian activity resumed during the afternoon on 6 July. The activity intensified at around 0000 on 7 July and changed to lava fountaining by around 0400. Ash emissions rose about 9 km a.s.l. (about 5 km above the summit) and drifted ESE, causing significant ashfall to the E, especially in the area between Zafferana Etnea (10 km SE) and Giarre (17 km ESE). At around 0850 lava overflowed the NW rim of Bocca Nuova Crater and traveled just over 500 m, stopping at around 3,000 m elevation. Sporadic ash emissions at Southeast Crater were observed. The lava fountaining gradually weakened and ceased at around 1000 and was followed by Strombolian activity that also gradually weakened and then ceased after about an hour. A more notable ash emission from Southeast Crater occurred at 1141 and rapidly dissipated. By 1228 minor ash emissions continued to occur and lava continued to flow from the summit craters.

Geological Summary. Mount Etna, towering above Catania on the island of Sicily, has one of the world's longest documented records of volcanism, dating back to 1500 BCE. Historical lava flows of basaltic composition cover much of the surface of this massive volcano, whose edifice is the highest and most voluminous in Italy. The Mongibello stratovolcano, truncated by several small calderas, was constructed during the late Pleistocene and Holocene over an older shield volcano. The most prominent morphological feature of Etna is the Valle del Bove, a 5 x 10 km caldera open to the east. Two styles of eruptive activity typically occur, sometimes simultaneously. Persistent explosive eruptions, sometimes with minor lava emissions, take place from one or more summit craters. Flank vents, typically with higher effusion rates, are less frequently active and originate from fissures that open progressively downward from near the summit (usually accompanied by Strombolian eruptions at the upper end). Cinder cones are commonly constructed over the vents of lower-flank lava flows. Lava flows extend to the foot of the volcano on all sides and have reached the sea over a broad area on the SE flank.

Sources: Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV), Dipartimento della Protezione Civile, Reuters, Euronews