Etna volcano's sulfur dioxide cloud heads toward Tunisia, experts say no major danger

Mount Etna, one of Europe's most active volcanoes located in Sicily, Italy, has entered a new eruptive phase, releasing a significant plume of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) that is drifting towards the southern Mediterranean.

Satellite imagery shows the gas cloud's trajectory passing over Tunisian and Libyan airspace. However, climate expert Ameur Bahbah, speaking via the Tunisian Observatory of Meteorology and Climate (OTMC), has reassured the public that the situation does not pose a substantial threat. He explained that the observed concentrations remain moderate and are situated at high altitudes, specifically between 2 and 4 kilometers above ground level.

“

The red color represents the direction of the sulfur dioxide gas.

Bahbah emphasized that while sulfur dioxide can be harmful at high concentrations and near the ground, the current levels directed towards Tunisia and Libya are not cause for alarm. He further noted that the gas cloud is dispersing, with weather maps indicating a gradual decrease in intensity from red (high concentration) to orange (diminishing concentration) over the coming days.

Volcanic surveillance data confirms that Etna's activity has subsided since the initial eruption on July 5. Recent observations indicate only weak sulfur dioxide emissions and no significant ash cloud detectable by satellite. The volcano's activity began on July 5, 2026, with emissions of ash and volcanic gases, including sulfur dioxide.

“

It is not a phenomenon at ground level, but a presence in the atmosphere.