The magnitude of the volcanic tremor at Mount Etna, Italy showed a rapid increase to high values early Sunday morning, April 19, 2020.
This activity was followed by lava fountains and heavy ash emissions, according to INGV Osservatorio Etneo. The aviation color code was upgraded to red at 07:24 UTC and downgraded back to orange at 12:26 UTC.
Seismic activity, located in the area of the southeastern crater, began at 05:40 UTC and reached its highest levels at 07:00 UTC.
Today's eruptive activity started around 06:30 UTC. Ash emissions were fairly moderate in the early stages, followed by a gradual increase in intensity from about 08:46 UTC.
The volcanic plume rose about 5 km above sea level and drifted eastward.
Ash fell on the eastern side of the volcano, mainly in Valle del Bove, but fine ash has also been reported in the city of Zafferana.
The lava fountain gradually diminished until it ceased at around 09:55 UTC, the observatory reported at 10:41 UTC.
