Philippines, Kanlaon Volcano Eruption

On 19 February 2026 at 4:39 PM, a moderately explosive eruption occurred at
the summit crater of Kanlaon Volcano that lasted two (2) minutes based on
seismic and visual recordings. The eruption generated a dense dark gray plume
that rose 2,000 meters above the vent before being bent and drifted to the
southwest by strong winds. Pyroclastic density currents or PDCs, hazardous
mixtures of hot volcanic gas, ash and fragmented rock, descended the upper
slopes within one (1) kilometer of the summit crater, except on the southwest
flank where these flowed for at least two kilometers downslope. The explosive
event was immediately followed by 40 minutes of continuous ash emission.
Regional, Provincial and local authorities have reported light to moderate ashfall
on 41 barangays in six cities/municipalities of Negros Occidental.

As of 20 February 2026, Kanlaon Volcano remains under Alert Level 2
(moderate level of volcanic unrest), which means that there is decreased
unrest but should not be interpreted that unrest has ceased or that the threat of
an eruption has disappeared, given that magma has already been beneath the
edifice. It is recommended that communities within a 4-km Permanent Danger
Zone (PDZ) should remain evacuated due to the lingering chances of
short-lived explosive eruptions and sudden steam-driven or phreatic
explosions that can generate life-threatening volcanic hazards such as
Pyroclastic density currents (PDCs), ballistic projectiles, rockfall, and lethal
explosions or volcanic gas. Local Government Units (LGUs) must continue to
prepare their communities within the PDC hazard zone for subsequent
evacuation in case unrest re-escalates and progresses into a magmatic eruption.
Increased vigilance against potential lahars and sediment-laden steamflows in
channels draining the volcanic slopes must continually be exercised in case
eruptive unrest resumes under heavy to intense rainfall. Civil aviation authorities
must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from
any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.

No pronounced increases in volcanic earthquake and ground deformation
parameters have followed the eruption as of present. Alert Level 2 (moderate
level of unrest) therefore is maintained over Kanlaon Volcano. This means that
this most recent explosive eruption may be followed by further moderate intensity
activity such as ash emission events or similar short-lived explosive eruptions.
Such eruptions could produce dangerous volcanic hazards within the 4-kilometer
radius Permanent Danger Zone or PDZ, disperse ash over the general west of
the volcano and produce material that could feed lahars in affected drainage
channels.