Explosive eruption at Kanlaon displaces over 30 families, ashfall blankets western areas, Philippines

A short-lived, moderately explosive eruption occurred at the summit crater of Kanlaon Volcano at 16:39 LT (08:39 UTC) on February 19.

The event lasted two minutes based on seismic and visual recordings and generated a dense dark gray plume that rose 2 000 m (6 562 feet) above the vent before drifting southwest under strong winds.

More than 30 families were evacuated in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, following the eruption, according to local authorities, as ashfall affected communities west of the volcano. 

Light to moderate ashfall was reported across 41 barangays in six cities and municipalities of Negros Occidental, including Bago City, La Castellana, Pontevedra, Don Salvador Benedicto, Valladolid, and La Carlota City.

Pyroclastic density currents descended the upper slopes within 1 km (0.6 miles) of the summit crater, except along the southwest flank, where they traveled at least 2 km (1.2 miles) downslope. The explosive phase was immediately followed by approximately 40 minutes of continuous ash emission.

Sulfurous fumes were reported in barangays of La Carlota and Bago Cities and in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental. The eruption also generated a shockwave heard as a booming sound and felt more than 30 km (19 miles) from the crater. An infrasound station approximately 4 km (2.5 miles) southeast of the crater recorded a maximum pressure of 225 Pascals.

Monitoring data prior to the eruption indicated relatively low overall seismicity, with a total of 10 volcanic earthquakes recorded, including seven low-frequency events associated with volcanic gas activity. Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emission declined to an average of 174 tonnes per day immediately before the eruption, compared to a short-term weekly average of 752 tonnes per day.

Since June 3, 2024, when eruptive unrest began, the volcano has continuously degassed at an average rate of 2 823 tonnes per day.

Ground deformation measurements show that the Kanlaon edifice has been inflating at low and fluctuating rates since 2022 due to magma intrusion at depth. 

Short-term inflation was being detected at the volcano since late January. PHIVOLCS assessed that blockage of established volcanic gas pathways and the resulting pressurization of the edifice triggered the moderately explosive event, consistent with the eruption mechanism observed since June 2024.

Alert Level 2 remains in effect, indicating a moderate level of unrest. PHIVOLCS stated that further moderate-intensity activity, including ash emission events or similar short-lived explosive eruptions, may occur. Such events could generate hazardous conditions within the 4 km (2.5 miles) Permanent Danger Zone and disperse ash west of the volcano.

Communities within the Permanent Danger Zone are strongly advised to remain evacuated due to the risk of pyroclastic density currents, ballistic projectiles, rockfalls, volcanic gas, and other hazards that could be generated by similar minor explosive eruptions.

Authorities also cautioned that intense rainfall over fresh ash and pyroclastic deposits could generate hot lahars and sediment-laden flows in affected drainage channels.

References:

¹ Kanlaon Volcano Eruption Bulletin – DOST-PHIVOLCS– February 19, 2026

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

• Rishav Kothari

  Over 5 000 people under threat of landslides due to widening earth cracks in Namisindwa, Uganda
• Rishav Kothari

  Earth has a second planetary symmetry, maintained by a hidden balance of clouds
• Rishav Kothari

  Noctilucent cloud season begins: How glowing night clouds form near the edge of space
• Rishav Kothari

  11 miners die after a landslide in Vatomadry, Madagascar