Increased activity at Etna volcano, Catania airport closed, Italy

Posted by Teo Blašković on January 26, 2019. Watchers.news

Increased activity was reported at Italy’s Mount Etna starting around 09:00 UTC on January 26, 2019. The Aviation Color Code was raised from Orange to Red.

Volcanic ash is not detectable on satellite imagery due to a meteorological cloud. However, significant volcanic ash is present above the volcano, The Toulouse VAAC reported 10:12 UTC, January 26.

Volcanic ash was later estimated at a height of 5.5 km (18 000 feet) above sea level.

The activity decreased around 18:00 UTC. Volcanic ash was still not detectable on satellite imagery in spite of good visibility, the Toulouse VAAC said. Some volcanic ash is possible in the direct vicinity of the volcano, it added