Mount Kanlaon on Negros Island, Philippines, erupted briefly, creating a towering ash plume and unleashing pyroclastic density currents on its western slopes. The eruption, lasting nearly four minutes, occurred on December 9, 2024. Authorities responded by evacuating approximately 87,000 individuals from villages located within the designated 6-kilometer danger zone. Volcanic ash covered areas over 200 kilometers away, including Antique Province, creating visibility hazards and health risks. Experts from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised the alert level to three on a five-step scale, indicating the possibility of further explosive eruptions. The eruption disrupted air travel, resulting in six domestic flight cancellations and the diversion of two regional flights. Local officials implemented curfews, suspended classes, and established evacuation centers to ensure the safety of affected residents.

Government scientists suggested that the eruption may have been triggered by either the release of older volcanic materials near the summit or the ascent of fresh magma from beneath the volcano. The pyroclastic density currents emitted during the eruption are known to incinerate everything in their path, emphasizing the event’s gravity. Authorities are monitoring air quality for hazardous volcanic gases that could necessitate additional evacuations. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured that resources such as face masks, food, and hygiene supplies were being distributed promptly. Mount Kanlaon, one of the Philippines’ 24 active volcanoes, last erupted in June, displacing hundreds of residents. The country’s geographical location within the Pacific “Ring of Fire” makes it susceptible to frequent volcanic activity, earthquakes, and typhoons, amplifying the importance of vigilance and disaster preparedness.