Etna Returns
to RED

Etna leads this week's roundup following a new RED aviation notice on 29 October. This edition concentrates on identifiable developments and carefully separates fresh agency bulletins from the Smithsonian/USGS weekly summary covering 22–28 October.

🇮🇹 Etna Aviation code RED

INGV's latest listed Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA), issued 29 October at 06:56 UTC, reports ongoing ash emission and assigns the aviation colour code RED. Earlier VONAs on 27 October listed YELLOW at 10:15 UTC and ORANGE at 11:52 UTC. These are aviation notices; RED should not be interpreted as a civil evacuation alert.

The Smithsonian/USGS weekly report describes gas emissions and intermittent minor ash emissions at the Northeast Crater during 19–25 October. Its cited civil-protection alert level was YELLOW, a different system from the later RED aviation notice.

🇵🇭 Mayon Alert Level 2

PHIVOLCS reported minor Strombolian activity on 24 October, accompanied by an ash emission lasting 32 seconds. A further ash emission lasting 51 seconds occurred on 25 October. The Smithsonian/USGS report for 22–28 October describes continued eruptive activity and says the alert level remained at 2.

PHIVOLCS' bulletin index lists a new 30 October Mayon bulletin and a separate raising notice. This report does not carry forward earlier daily earthquake or SO₂ totals as if they were today's readings; consult the latest PHIVOLCS bulletin for current measurements and any newly announced change.

🇺🇸 Great Sitkin WATCH · ORANGE

Alaska Volcano Observatory observations for 21–28 October, summarised by Smithsonian/USGS, show slow lava effusion continuing to feed the thick flow in Great Sitkin's summit crater. Lava was entering the southeastern lobe, though its outer margin did not advance. The southern flank of the dome slowly advanced and generated occasional small rockfalls.

Minor earthquakes consistent with dome growth were detected. The alert level remained WATCH and the aviation colour code ORANGE in that reporting period.

🇮🇸 Svartsengi / Reykjanes Uplift continues · No eruption

In its 27 October assessment, the Icelandic Meteorological Office confirms continued, relatively steady ground uplift at Svartsengi. Seismicity along the Sundhnúkur crater row remains low. Magma pressure continues to build several kilometres underground.

IMO says another magma intrusion, potentially followed by an eruption, remains the most likely scenario, but it cannot predict when. Warning time could be short. No eruption is currently underway. No outdated accumulated magma-volume estimate is presented here.

🇺🇸 Kīlauea ADVISORY · YELLOW

HVO's 29 October, 19:05 UTC update confirms that the Halemaʻumaʻu eruption remains paused following Episode 55 on 17 October. Slow, steady summit inflation continues. HVO's model-based forecast window for Episode 56 has shifted to 1–7 November 2026, conditional on inflation following previous patterns — not a confirmed eruption date.

HVO observed strong glow at the west vent overnight, weaker steady glow at the north vent, and a dark south vent buried by Episode 55 deposits. Current status: ADVISORY/YELLOW.

🌏 Elsewhere this week Agency-reported activity

Lewotolok, Indonesia: PVMBG reported ash plumes on 24 October and incandescent material ejected above the summit and onto the flanks late that day; alert level 2. Merapi, Indonesia: lava-dome avalanches continued, including two reaching up to 1.5 km down the Krasak drainage on 22 October; alert level 3. Semeru, Indonesia: eruptive activity continued through 22–28 October; alert level 3.

Langila, Papua New Guinea: Darwin VAAC identified ash plumes at 1.5–2.4 km above sea level during 26–28 October; smoke from extensive fires complicated satellite interpretation on 28 October. Sheveluch, Russia: KVERT reported continued dome lava effusion and explosive activity, aviation code ORANGE.