BACOLOD CITY — Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island erupted on Thursday afternoon, February 19, 2026, sending a 2,000-meter plume of dark gray ash into the sky and triggering shockwaves felt across several municipalities.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) described the event as a “moderately explosive eruption.” It began at 4:39 p.m. and lasted for two minutes, followed by a sustained 40-minute period of ash venting that ended around 5:25 p.m.
Impact and Affected Areas:
- Ashfall and Odor: A total of 40 villages in Negros Occidental reported falling ash and a strong sulfuric smell. Affected localities include:
- Bago City, Pontevedra, La Castellana, La Carlota City, Moises Padilla, Valladolid, and Hinigaran.
- Pyroclastic Density Currents (PDCs): Fast-moving flows of hot gas and debris descended about a kilometer down the volcano’s southern and southwestern slopes.
- Shockwaves: Residents in La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Pontevedra, San Enrique, and Hinigaran reported feeling vibrations or a shockwave from the initial blast.
- Negros Oriental: No ashfall was reported in Canlaon City on the eastern side of the volcano.
Safety Measures and Status:
- No Preemptive Evacuation: The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) stated that no new evacuations were necessary as the 4-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) had already been cleared of residents due to previous activity.
- Alert Level: As of the report, Kanlaon remains at Alert Level 2 (Moderate level of volcanic unrest). Phivolcs has strongly advised the public to wear face masks and stay indoors to avoid inhaling volcanic ash.
- Aviation: Pilots are cautioned to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.
This is the most significant activity from Kanlaon since its series of eruptions in 2024 and mid-2025. Authorities continue to monitor the volcano for any signs of escalating unrest.