Image of the day
First eruption of Mount Etna in 2026
Earth Observation | Copernicus
Volcanoes
Location: Mount Etna, Italy
Credit: European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-2 imagery
On 1 January 2026, Mount Etna entered a new eruptive phase, with lava emerging from a fissure vent located approximately 2,000- 2,100 metres above sea level in the Valle del Bove. According to Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), no residential areas were at immediate risk, and no infrastructural damage has been reported.
This false colour image, acquired on 4 January 2026 by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites, shows snow-covered areas in blue, while the active lava flow is clearly visible in red.
Copernicus Sentinel-2 data play a key role in supporting volcanic monitoring by enabling rapid identification of lava flow paths, thermal anomalies, and changes to the volcanic landscape.
