Flights canceled, explosive eruption at Kanlaon sends ash over western Cebu, Philippines
Ash from a moderately explosive eruption of Kanlaon volcano reached several municipalities in Cebu on July 9, 2026. At least eight domestic flights were canceled at Mactan-Cebu International Airport. Probable ballistic ejecta, or volcanic rock fragments, were also reported in Masulog in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.
Volcanic ash from moderate eruption at Kanlaon volcano on July 9, 2026. Credit: DOST-PHIVOLCS
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported that a moderately explosive eruption occurred at the summit crater of Kanlaon volcano at around 07:33 local time (LT) on July 9.
The event lasted approximately three minutes, generating an ash plume that rose 2 000 to 3 000 m (6 500 to 9 800 feet) above the summit crater before drifting east.
“Poorly visible pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) descended the southeastern slopes, possibly reaching within 1 km (0.6 miles) of the summit crater, as captured by the Upper Pantao Observation Station (VKUP) in Canlaon City,” PHIVOLCS said.
Easterly winds carried volcanic ash across Negros Island to western Cebu, according to the Phivolcs Volcano Observatory resident geologist Andylyn Quintia.
“The ashfall was confirmed in the Cebu municipalities of Balamban, Toledo, Pinamungahan, and Aloguinsan at around 09:00 LT,” Quintia told the state-run Philippine News Agency (PNA).
The city government reported ashfall in at least 10 areas, including the barangays of Binalbagan, Malaiba, Mabigo, Pula, Lumapao, Bayog, Panubigan, Aquino, and portions of Masulog and Linothangan.
Masulog also recorded what authorities described as probable ballistic ejecta, or volcanic rock fragments thrown out during the eruption.
Ashfall alerts were issued for parts of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Cebu at around 10:00 LT on July 9. The ashfall had subsided by 12:30 LT, according to the Philippine Emergency Alerts.
At least eight domestic flights were canceled at Mactan-Cebu International Airport due to the eruption.
The local government has begun distributing face masks to residents to minimize exposure to volcanic ash, which may cause respiratory problems.
Volcanic activity at Kanlaon has been increasing, with at least 19 volcanic earthquakes recorded during the 24-hour period ending on July 9.
The volcano emitted 2 454 tonnes of sulfur dioxide on July 8. A 200 m (656 feet) tall ash plume was also observed drifting east-southeast. PHIVOLCS also reported inflation of the volcano’s edifice.
Previously, Kanlaon produced a 1 100 m (3 600 feet) tall ash plume on July 7 and a 500 m (1 600 feet) tall ash plume the day before. The July 7 eruption deposited ash over parts of Cebu Province on July 9.
Alert Level 2 remains in effect. Entry into the 4 km (2.5 miles)-radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) remains prohibited. Sudden steam-driven (phreatic) eruptions and precursory magmatic activity remain possible within the PDZ.
References:
1 Kanlaon Volcano 24-hr observation summary – PHIVOLCS – July 9, 2026
Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.
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