Satellite image of Etna volcano on 18 Aug 2026
Explosive activity continues. The Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Toulouse warned of a volcanic ash plume rising to an estimated 15000 ft (4600 m), or flight level 150, and moving at 25 kts in SE direction.
Original VAAC bulletin:
FVXX01 at 03:00 UTC, 18/08/26 from LFPW
VA ADVISORY
DTG: 20260818/0300Z
VAAC: TOULOUSE
VOLCANO: ETNA 211060
PSN: N3744 E01459
AREA: SICILY VOLCANIC PROVINCE
SOURCE ELEV: 3357M
ADVISORY NR: 2026/104
INFO SOURCE: VONA, INGV WEBCAMS, SAT IMAGERY
AVIATION COLOUR CODE: RED
ERUPTION DETAILS: ERUPTION AT 20260816/1620Z ONGOING ERUPTION
DECREASING
OBS VA DTG: 18/0300Z
OBS VA CLD: SFC/FL150 N3748 E01503 - N3645 E01841 - N3536 E01800 -
N3736 E01500 - N3748 E01503 MOV SE 25KT FL050/200 N3536 E01800 -
N3645 E01839 - N3521 E02315 - N3400 E02342 - N3200 E02130 - N3536
E01800 MOV SE 20KT
FCST VA CLD +6 HR: 18/0900Z SFC/FL150 N3757 E01503 - N3538 E02027 -
N3408 E01856 - N3730 E01442 - N3757 E01503 FL050/200 NO VA EXP
FCST VA CLD +12 HR: 18/1500Z SFC/FL150 N3438 E02015 - N3342 E01824 -
N3527 E01700 - N3733 E01445 - N3748 E01500 - N3618 E01806 - N3438
E02015
FCST VA CLD +18 HR: 18/2100Z SFC/FL150 N3430 E02006 - N3351 E01815 -
N3530 E01703 - N3736 E01448 - N3751 E01506 - N3621 E01809 - N3430
E02006
RMK: ASH EMISSION DECREASING. ASH CLOUD MAINLY COMPOSED OF WATER
AND SO2 AND EASTERN CLOUD DISSIPATING. QVA NOT PROVIDED DUE TO THE
LOW INTENSITY OF THE EVENT.
NXT ADVISORY: NO LATER THAN 20260818/0900Z=