Kanlaon Volcano: Emergency alert issued after major volcano in Philippines erupts sending huge ash cloud into sky
A major volcano has erupted, sending a huge plume of hot ash into the sky.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said there was an "ongoing explosive eruption" at Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island Region of the Philippines this morning. Images show thick, black smoke rising into the sky above the volcano following the eruption.
The city of Canlaon is located around five miles away from the summit. The Office of Civil Defense in the Philippines has issued an emergency alert and warning message following the eruption.
The statement reads: "Everyone is advised to be cautious of pyroclastic flows and ashfall caused by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano towards the southwest around 4:39 PM today, February 19, 2026." Described as a "moderately explosive eruption", it lasted two minutes and generated a dark gray eruption plume that rose 2,000 meters above the crater.
It erupted at just before 5pm local time on Thursday. Mount Kanlaon is located on Negros Island in the Philippines.
It is an active volcano and has a peak elevation of 2,465m. The cities of Bago, La Carlota, San Carlos, and Canlaon are all located near to the volcano, as well as the municipalities of Murcia and La Castellana.