Magnitude 3.9 earthquake cracks road on Etna's north flank, restaurants evacuated on Ferragosto

Earthquake strikes Etna's north flank

A magnitude 3.9 earthquake struck the northern slope of Mount Etna at 12:24 on Saturday 15 August, Ferragosto, with its epicenter located 7 kilometers west of Linguaglossa in the province of Catania. The Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) recorded the hypocenter at a depth of just 1 kilometer below sea level, a shallowness that amplified the tremor's effect on the surface. The quake was felt distinctly across eastern Sicily and caused alarm among residents and the large number of tourists visiting the mountain areas on the public holiday. Witnesses on the ground reported perceiving a sequence of at least four closely spaced shocks, culminating in the 12:24 peak.

Pernicana fault reactivated

The shallow quake reactivated the Pernicana Fault, a tectonic structure that cuts the volcano's northeastern flank and is closely linked to Etna's volcanic activity. The fracture split the provincial road known as "Mareneve," the artery connecting Linguaglossa to the tourist locality of Piano Provenzana, with deep longitudinal cracks deforming the asphalt and prompting authorities to restrict traffic. Ground fractures and minor landslides were also reported in wooded areas and along hiking trails in the vicinity. Video footage and direct testimony from residents showed linear splits in the ground surface.

Salvo Cocina, head of the Sicilian Civil Protection, provided the first official account of the event.

“A magnitude 3.9 earthquake at Linguaglossa caused the opening of the Pernicana fault linked to volcanic activity. 'Fractured' the road to Piano Provenzana, Ragabo area, Clan dei Ragazzi. Restaurants in the area were preventively evacuated. No news of other damage. Inspections underway, with Civil Protection, Forest Service, Municipality and Province on site.”

Evacuations and damage assessment

The road between Rifugio Brunek and Casa dei Ragazzi was fractured, prompting the precautionary evacuation of restaurants and shelters in the Piano Provenzana area, which were full of customers for the Ferragosto lunch. Fire brigade teams and Civil Protection units responded immediately to the scene. No injuries or structural damage to residential buildings were reported as of the afternoon. Regional Civil Protection department personnel, the Forest Corps, the Municipality, and the Province deployed to conduct initial surveys and evaluate the safety of roads and structures in the area. Inspections were continuing through the afternoon to verify road conditions and check for any additional damage.

Ongoing volcanic activity

The earthquake occurred while Etna was already under observation for a new eruptive phase. The INGV's Etna Observatory recorded continuous effusive activity with lava flows at altitudes of 2,750 and 1,990 meters, along with a brief ash explosion from the Northeast Crater. The strong pressures exerted by magma and gases pushing toward the surface through rock fractures generate volcanic earthquakes of this kind. The volcanic alert level had been lowered from red to orange, and Catania airport reopened at 14:00 after days of ash-related disruptions that had caused hundreds of flight cancellations and significant inconvenience for travelers.

Upper lava flow2,750

Lower lava flow1,990

Upper lava flow

2750 m

Lower lava flow

1990 m

Data from the article text