Kanlaon volcano in central Philippines erupts

MANILA, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Mount Kanlaon Volcano in the central Philippines erupted just over noon Saturday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.

This photograph taken on February 19, 2026 shows a general view of Mount Kanlaon erupting from Murcia town, Negros Occidental province, central Philippines. (File photo: AFP)

According to the institute, a "moderately explosive eruption" occurred at Mount Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island at 12:46 p.m. local time Saturday. The eruption lasted for about two minutes.

The institute said the event generated a plume that rose 5 km to 6 km above the crater. The ashfall is expected to drift north and northeast.

Alert Level 2 is maintained over Mount Kanlaon volcano, with Level 5 the highest in scale.

The Philippine archipelago straddles the Pacific "Ring of Fire" and is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.