Philippine's Mount Kanlaon Erupts, Spewing Ash Miles into Sky—Schools Closed in Impacted Villages

Mount Kanlaon Erupts, Spewing Ash Miles into Sky

Mount Kanlaon Erupts, Spewing Ash Miles into Sky—Schools Closed in Impacted Villages

DECK
Thousands remain in shelters as Kanlaon volcano sends towering ash plume over Negros island; officials urge vigilance amid ongoing volcanic unrest

KEY FACTS

• What: Mount Kanlaon erupts, releasing ash and debris

• Where: Negros Island, central Philippines

• When: Early Tuesday morning, eruption lasted over an hour

• Impact: Ashfall reaches at least four farming villages

• Response: Classes suspended in affected areas; residents warned to avoid danger zone

• Current Alert Level: 3—indicates high volcanic unrest, but not yet hazardous

• Past Incident: Last eruption occurred in December, triggering evacuations

SITUATION SNAPSHOT
In the early morning light, a thick column of ash surged from Mount Kanlaon, rising nearly four kilometers into the sky and blanketing surrounding farmlands in a dusty haze. With the volcano growling back to life, local authorities scrambled to suspend classes and monitor its next move, while villagers woke to find their fields dusted with gray.

WHAT WE KNOW
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology confirmed that Mount Kanlaon erupted briefly Tuesday, releasing a 2.4-mile-high ash plume and scattering volcanic debris across four nearby farming communities. The event did not cause any injuries or property damage, but schools in the ash-hit villages were closed as a precaution.

According to the Office of Civil Defense, thousands of people displaced by Kanlaon's previous eruption in December have not yet returned home and remain in temporary shelters. The volcano continues to exhibit signs of unrest, although authorities have not detected heightened volcanic earthquakes or other indicators that would push the alert level beyond the current Level 3.

WHAT’S NEXT
Experts are closely monitoring Kanlaon for any shift in activity that could suggest a larger, more dangerous eruption. “The possibility of a bigger eruption is always there,” warned Philippine chief volcanologist Teresito Bacolcol, who advised the public to maintain caution and steer clear of the 6-kilometer danger zone around the crater. Additional advisories and potential evacuations may follow based on the volcano’s behavior.

VOICES ON THE GROUND
“The possibility of a bigger eruption is always there,” — Teresito Bacolcol, chief volcanologist.
“There are no other key signs of restiveness, like a spike in volcanic earthquakes,” — Teresito Bacolcol.

CONTEXT
Towering at 2,435 meters (7,988 feet), Mount Kanlaon ranks among the Philippines' most active volcanoes, with a notorious history of sudden eruptions. In 1996, three hikers tragically lost their lives when the volcano exploded without warning. Kanlaon is one of 24 active volcanoes across the Philippine archipelago, which sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”—a hotbed of seismic and volcanic activity. Coupled with its frequent typhoons, the country remains one of the most disaster-vulnerable regions in the world.

REPORTER INSIGHT
Standing on the edges of the ash-coated village roads, locals cast wary glances toward the cloud-covered summit of Kanlaon. Though today brought no damage, the memory of past eruptions lingers heavily in their minds, especially for those still living in makeshift shelters months after the last blast.