Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island erupted on Saturday afternoon, October 10, sending a column of ash high into the sky and leaving several villages in Negros Occidental covered in ash.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) described the event as a "moderately explosive eruption" at the summit crater. It began at about 12:46 p.m. and lasted roughly two minutes based on seismic records, according to the Kanlaon Volcano Observatory. The plume rose 5 to 6 kilometers above the crater and drifted north-northeast, and ash emission continued into the afternoon.

Ash and sulfur odor in Negros Occidental

Preliminary reports from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in the Negros Island Region listed ashfall in seven barangays of Don Salvador Benedicto and in a village of La Carlota City, where residents also reported a sulfuric odor and rumbling sounds. A sulfuric smell was noted in upland San Carlos City, while residents of Bago City reported booming sounds and ground shaking but no ashfall. The OCD said the reports are still being validated with local governments.

OCD regional director Donato Sermeno III led the delivery of more than 5,000 face masks to Don Salvador Benedicto, and La Carlota City convened its disaster risk reduction council.

Activity continues

The volcano remained restless on Sunday, October 11. PHIVOLCS recorded ash emissions before dawn, with plumes rising 400 to 600 meters, and logged 10 volcanic earthquakes in its 24-hour bulletin. The edifice remained inflated.

PHIVOLCS Director Teresito Bacolcol said there are no immediate plans to raise the alert level, although the agency is still assessing the situation. He explained that Saturday's eruption opened a pathway through which escaping gases continue to carry fine ash.

What Alert Level 2 means

Alert Level 2 signals increasing unrest. PHIVOLCS warns that sudden steam-driven eruptions and hazardous volcanic material near the summit remain possible. Entry into the 4-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone is prohibited, and pilots are advised to avoid flying close to the volcano.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council urged residents of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental to take precautions against ashfall:

  • Wear well-fitting masks and eye protection.

  • Stay indoors as much as possible.

  • Keep doors and windows closed.

A restless volcano

Kanlaon has been active for more than two years. An eruption in December 2024 pushed the alert to Level 3 and forced thousands of residents to evacuate. PHIVOLCS lowered the alert back to Level 2 in July 2025, but the volcano has continued to produce eruptions, including several so far in 2026.