Kanlaon Volcano Explodes Again — Ash Shoots 2.5 Kilometers Into the Sky, Lava Rains Around the Crater

Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island erupted again Thursday night — exactly one week after its last explosive episode — sending a plume of ash 2,500 meters above the crater before drifting southwest toward nearby towns.

PHIVOLCS reported the moderately explosive eruption began at 7:04 p.m. and lasted two minutes based on seismic and infrasound records. The agency shared time-lapse footage from thermal cameras showing the dramatic blast, noting that 'incandescent ballistics were observed to have rained around the crater.' Pyroclastic density currents — fast-moving flows of hot gas and volcanic material — descended the eastern and southeastern upper slopes within two kilometers of the summit.

The eruption was immediately followed by continuous ash emission that was still ongoing at the time of the PHIVOLCS advisory. Three sitios in La Carlota City and La Castellana City in Negros Occidental started experiencing ashfall due to wind direction, according to GMA's Aileen Pedreso.

Canlaon City Mayor Batchuk Cardenas shared photos of the eruption lighting up the night sky and warned residents to stay on high alert. Photos from YouScoopers showed the ash plumes rising dramatically as seen from different vantage points across the island.

Kanlaon remains at Alert Level 2, pero PHIVOLCS said it will assess monitoring parameters within 24 hours for possible changes. The February 19 eruption was also moderately explosive and lasted two minutes — raising concerns that the volcano may be entering a pattern of weekly eruptions. Residents in the danger zone should remain vigilant.

Source: GMA News