From 21/10/2026 to 21/10/2026, a Tropical Storm (maximum wind speed of 130 km/h) JOSEPHINE-26 was active in Atlantic. The cyclone affects these countries: United States, Canada, Saint Pierre and Miquelon (vulnerability Low). Estimated population affected by category 1 (120 km/h) wind speeds or higher is 0 (7.514 million in tropical storm).
Etna volcano (Italy): increased seismic activity, M3.9 quake in the Valle del Bove
Earthquakes under Etna volcano during the past 7 days, with today's M3.9 event seen as the larger red dot on the east flank
An earthquake of magnitude 3.9 hit below Etna’s eastern flank this morning at 08:49 local time at shallow depth of only 4 km and was felt in nearby towns such as Zafferana, Santa Venerina, Milo.
No immediate change in volcanic activity has been detected, although such events, even if originally tectonic in nature, can trigger underground movements of magma. Interestingly, the volcano’s seismic activity has been picking up lately: already 3 days earlier, on 18 Oct 2026, an earthquake swarm occurred under the volcano’s western flank in the mid-to-upper slope.
The latest report by the volcano observatory in Catania indicates that on that day, 20 earthquakes were detected with magnitudes of 1.0 or greater in total, including 4 quakes greater than magnitude 2.0 and one of magnitude 3.3 at 04:20 UTC approximately 600 meters southwest of Monte Minardo at a depth of 6.3 kilometers. On 19 and 20 Oct, the volcano was more quiet with only two small events detected, a magnitude 1.2 earthquake near Monte Fontane and an a magnitude 1.8 event near Maletto.
Most monitored parameters at Etna such as ground deformation, degassing rates, overall thermal radiation (as observed via satellite data), infrasonic events (indicating degassing events or explosions deep inside the conduits) have not shown significant variations in the past few weeks, meaning that there is currently no indication that a new eruption is imminent.
However, as often happened, this situation can change very quickly at Etna volcano. Along with the increased seismic activity, volcanic tremor is showing a weak, but consistent slowly increasing trend while fluctuating between low and medium levels. Overall, the volcano is showing signs of instability and the potential of renewed activity in the near future remains rather high.
Detailed map of the current configuration of summit vents at Etna (source: INGV report 20 Oct 2026)
Green notification for tropical cyclone TWENTY-TWO-E-26. Population affected by Category 1 (120 km/h) wind speeds or higher is 0 (0 in Tropical Storm).
From 21/10/2026 to 21/10/2026, a Tropical Depression (maximum wind speed of 185 km/h) TWENTY-TWO-E-26 was active in Atlantic. The cyclone affects these countries: [unknown] (vulnerability [unknown]). Estimated population affected by category 1 (120 km/h) wind speeds or higher is 0 (0 in tropical storm).
Green notification for tropical cyclone VANCE-26. Population affected by Category 1 (120 km/h) wind speeds or higher is 0 (0 in Tropical Storm).
Sangay Volcanic Ash Advisory: ash plume to 23,000 ft (7,000 m) as of Oct 21, 10:50 UTC
Explosive activity continues. The Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Washington warned of a volcanic ash plume rising to an estimated 23000 ft (7000 m), or flight level 230.
Original VAAC bulletin:
FVXX23 at 11:22 UTC, 21/10/26 from KNES
VA ADVISORY
DTG: 20261021/1119Z
VAAC: WASHINGTON
VOLCANO: SANGAY 352090
PSN: S0200 W07820
AREA: ECUADOR
SOURCE ELEV: 17342 FT AMSL
ADVISORY NR: 2026/699
INFO SOURCE: GOES-19. WEBCAM. NWP MODELS.
ERUPTION DETAILS: CONT VA EMS
OBS VA DTG: 21/1050Z
OBS VA CLD: SFC/FL230 S0156 W07845 - S0200 W07820
- S0202 W07820 - S0206 W07845 - S0156 W07845 MOV
W 10KT
FCST VA CLD +6HR: 21/1700Z SFC/FL230 S0150 W07843
- S0201 W07820 - S0202 W07820 - S0200 W07846 -
S0150 W07843
FCST VA CLD +12HR: 21/2300Z SFC/FL230 S0144
W07840 - S0201 W07820 - S0202 W07820 - S0153
W07845 - S0144 W07840
FCST VA CLD +18HR: 22/0500Z SFC/FL230 S0153
W07841 - S0200 W07820 - S0202 W07820 - S0203
W07841 - S0153 W07841
RMK: CONT VA EMS OBSD ON STLT IMG MOVG W EXT
APPRX 30NMI FM SUMMIT. NWP MDLS FCST GEN WNW MVMT
THRU T+18 ...BUTLER
NXT ADVISORY: WILL BE ISSUED BY 20261021/1715Z