Location of tremor sources at Etna during 27 Oct - 3 Nov 2026 (image: INGV Catania)The volcano's becoming more and more restless over the past several days, both internally and externally. Weak ash emissions have been occurring from the Northeast Crater although these likely represent older pulverized rocks and not fresh magma near the surface. The activity prompted the volcano observatory in Catania (INGV) to issue a volcanic ash warning for aviation, raising the alert level to orange yesterday (3 Nov 2026). More notably, seismic activity has been on the rise lately, and suggest that something is likely about to change in the near future. Volcanic tremor continues to undergo fluctuations, but along a gradual rising trend overall, and is now near high levels. Recent monitoring data reveal an interesting shift in the location of the sources of the volcanic tremor sources towards the Southeast Crater and the Valle del Bove. In addition, there have been several deep earthquakes under the volcano's western flank in the area of Bronte. Volcanic tremor shifts to the South East crater and Valle del BoveAccording to the latest weekly monitoring report (INGV, 3 Nov 2026), volcanic tremor fluctuated significantly during the observation period from 26 October to 1 November. A particularly notable increase began at approximately 22:00 UTC on 31 October, when tremor amplitude rose rapidly from low to moderate levels. It continued increasing during the following hours, approaching the threshold of high values at around 16:20 UTC on 1 November. Tremor then gradually decreased again.During this episode, the locations of the tremor sources changed significantly. While they were generally concentrated beneath the Northeast Crater and between it and the Voragine crater, at elevations of approximately 1,300–2,800 m above sea level, they shifted towards the Southeast Crater during the period of increased tremor.Between late 31 October and the afternoon of 1 November, the tremor source locations were estimated at elevations of 2,600–3,000 m above sea level. Their distribution also extended eastward from the summit area towards the upper Valle del Bove.This pattern could indicate underground movements of magma or related fluids, possibly new intrusions at shallow depths. However, other monitoring data do not fully support this scenario (or maybe not yet).Erthquakes below the western flankEarthquake activity around Etna was relatively low during the reporting 7-day period, with only 2 quakes of magnitudes 2 or higher, the strongest a 2.1 event on 1 November at approx. 10 km depth approx. 2.3 southwest of Maletto and a 2.0 quake southwest of Santa Venerina on 27 Oct.Smaller earthquakes were recorded on the volcano's northwestern flank, including several events near Bronte. Among these was a magnitude 1.5 earthquake northwest of Bronte at approximately 15 km depth. Other small earthquakes in the area on 1 November included an event at around 16 km depth.Degassing and other measurementsEtna's internal magmatic system remains very active and produces continuous degassing at average levels overall. Notably, carbon dioxide (CO2) ground emissions increased slightly,- CO2 is among the first volcanic gasses released from new magma at depth and increased diffuse emissions often precede new pulses of activity at the surface later.Sulfur dioxide emissions as well as Helium isotope ratios from the volcanic plume were at moderate levels, consistent with the presence of fresh magma at depth. INGV reported several pronounced peaks in radon emissions on 31 October and 1 November. These fluctuations were interpreted as possible pulses of pressurized gas moving through deeper parts of the volcanic plumbing system.Ground deformation measurements (including GPS and tilt monitoring), as well as satellite-based thermal radiation values show no significant changes at the surface, suggesting that there is no clear sign of an impending new eruption. However, as often at Etna, this can change very rapidly.Volcanic tremor amplitude over the past several days (image: INGV Catania)