Eruption at Etna and last assessment of the Sunda Strait tsunami.

From 8:50 am local time, an intense seismic swarm is observed on Etna. During the first three hours, more than 130 earthquakes occurred, the largest of which were of magnitude Ml = 4.0 (at 13:08), located in the area of ​​Piano Pernicana, on the northwestern side of the volcano, 2 km deep and 6 km west. from Zafferana Etnea) and Ml 3.9 (located in the area of ​​Monte Palestra on the NW side of the volcano).

The seismic activity was accompanied by a gradual increase in degassing from the summit crater area, initially with sporadic ash emissions from the Bocca Nuova and the Northeast crater, which ended around 12.00 pm to a dense and continuous plume of black ashes.

After about five minutes, intense Strombolian activity began at the south base of the new south-east crater, probably triggered by an eruptive fissure, and with the opening of several mouths towards Serra Giannicola (flank eruption).
At the same time, Strombolian activity is also increased at Bocca Nuova and Crater Nord-Est.

At 12:01 local time, the Etneo Observatory Office (OE-INGV) issued a Red VONA for the issuance of ashes to the aeronautical authorities.

Geodetic networks, GPS and inclinometers, show obvious deformations of the area of ​​the summit.

Source: INGV Catania

Sources: INGV Catania and the different webcams and photographers mentioned

Last assessment and government communication on the Sunda Strait tsunami:

1. On December 22, 2018, the tsunami hit the coast of Sunda Strait and affected Pandeglang and Serang District in Banten Province, as well as Lampung Selatan, Tanggamus and Pesawaran, districts of Lampung Province. 

2. In five districts, Pandeglang District in Banten Province is the most affected region with 207 dead, 755 wounded, 7 missing and 11,453 displaced (1% out of a total of 1.2 million). An increase in the number of impacts is expected as the evaluation is still ongoing.

3. Indonesian President Joko Widodo traveled to Pandeglang on the morning of 24 December 2018. The priorities of the Indonesian government are coordination, research and development, evacuation, the provision of medical services, the management of internally displaced persons and the restoration of critical facilities.

4. The industrial zones of the Cilegon region have not been affected so far.

5. Local governments lead emergency response efforts in different affected areas.

Thousands of people participate in response operations, consisting of BNPB staff, Provincial and District Disaster Management Authority, Military Indonesia (TNI), Police, Indonesian Search and Rescue Agency (BASRNAS), Ministry of Defense Social Affairs, Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Energy and Mineral resources, NGOs and volunteers. Heavy machinery is mobilized to support research and rescue operations in the affected areas.

6. On the basis of the AHA Center's communication with the BNPB, the tsunami's impact is still within the limits of the national capacities of the Indonesian government. There is no request for international assistance at the moment.