Kanlaon Volcano erupts anew

[Updated Feb. 26, 2026, 9:41 p.m.]

MANILA, Philippines – Kanlaon Volcano had a moderate explosive eruption on Thursday evening, according to the Philippine Institute of Seismology and Volcanology (Phivolcs).

Phivolcs announced the eruption through an advisory at 7:13 p.m..

The latest eruption occurred exactly a week after the last recorded moderately explosive eruption on Feb. 19.

According to Phivolcs in an advisory, the eruption occurred at exactly 7:04 p.m. and lasted for two minutes based on seismic and infrasound records.

“This event generated a plume that rose 2,500 meters above the crater before drifting southwest,” said Phivolcs.

“Incandescent ballistics were observed to have rained around the crater while pyroclastic density currents or PDCs descended the eastern and southeastern upper slopes within 2 kilometers of the summit crater,” it added.

Phivolcs then noted that the eruption was immediately followed by continuous ash emission that persisted until the advisory was posted at 8:30 p.m.

Phivolcs also told reporters through Viber that PDCs from the upper slopes PDCs have ignited a forest fire in the municipality of La Castellana in Negros Occidental

Residents in nearby areas reported hearing a powerful blast, while minor ground shaking was also felt following the eruption.

Phivolcs issued a warning against possible ashfall and pyroclastic flows that could affect surrounding villages.

“It was a moderately explosive eruption,” said Phivolcs volcanologist Mari Andylene Quintia.

Remuel Lajo, public information officer of La Castellana town, said a loud explosion was heard and slight tremors were felt. “Fire could be seen coming out of the crater,” he added. INQ /gsg /mr