The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) confirmed an explosive eruption from Mount Kanlaon early Tuesday morning.
According to initial reports, the eruption occurred at 5:52 a.m., producing a thick plume of volcanic ash from the crater of the active volcano.
Ashfall is expected to affect parts of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, particularly the western areas including La Carlota City, La Castellana, and nearby towns.
Prior to the eruption, Phivolcs recorded 14 volcanic earthquakes, indicating heightened activity beneath the volcano.
The Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) emission level reached 1,655 tons, suggesting significant degassing from the volcano’s vent.
Residents are advised to stay indoors and avoid outdoor activities due to the risk of skin and respiratory exposure to hot ash and contaminated air.
Phivolcs warned individuals with respiratory issues to take extra precautions as the ash can aggravate health conditions and cause breathing difficulties.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and may raise the alert level if volcanic activity intensifies in the coming hours.
Mount Kanlaon, located on Negros Island, is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines and part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Its most destructive eruption occurred in 1902, killing several people and affecting surrounding communities with ash and lava flows.
Significant eruptions were also recorded in 1996, when a sudden phreatic explosion killed three hikers, and in 2016, when ash columns reached over 1.5 kilometers high.
Mount Kanlaon stands at 2,465 meters above sea level, making it the highest peak in the Visayas and a key monitoring point for volcanic hazards in the region.