MANILA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Mount Kanlaon in the central Philippines erupted on Thursday, generating an ash plume that rose about 2,500 meters above the crater before drifting southwest, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

In this aerial shot released by Canlaon City Public Information Office (PIO) shows a general view of Mount Kanlaon volcano erupting as seen in Canlaon, Negros Oriental province on February 19, 2026. (File photo: AFP)

Phivolcs reported on Thursday evening that a moderate explosive eruption occurred at 7:04 p.m. local time, lasting approximately 2 minutes.

The institute said it will continue monitoring and assessing the volcano's activity over the next 24 hours for any changes to the current alert level.

In a social media advisory, Phivolcs said incandescent fragments were ejected around the crater during the eruption, while pyroclastic density currents descended the eastern and southeastern upper slopes within 2 km of the summit.

Alert Level 2 remains in effect over Kanlaon, prohibiting entry into the 4-km permanent danger zone due to ongoing unrest and the risk of sudden explosive activity.

Kanlaon straddles the provinces of Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental on Negros Island and is among the country's most active volcanoes.