A major volcano in the Philippines have rocked one of the country’s largest islands with an “explosive” eruption today. Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island violently erupted on March 15, spewing a thick black column of ashes three miles into the sky.

Harrowing footage from the scene shows the dark plume dominating the surrounding areas, before drifting to the southeast and northeast. The Philippine Institute of Seismology and Volcanology (Phivolcs) called the eruption “moderately explosive”.

An alert Level 2 is in place, which means people are barred from the two-mile Permanent Danger Zone radius. Under Alert Level 2, authorities warn that sudden steam‑driven eruptions and early signs of rising magma are possible.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said: “Another moderately explosive eruption occurred at the summit of Kanlaon Volcano at 06:07 PM today, generating a 5 kilometer-high eruption column that is drifting to the southeast and northeast.

“This is the third event at Kanlaon this year, following similar eruptions in 19 and 26 February 2026. Alert Level 2 is maintained over Kanlaon Volcano and entry into the 4 kilometer PDZ (Permanent Danger Zone) must be prohibited.”

Local officials have already reported ashfall in several communities across Negros Occidental, while residents have noticed a sulfur-like smell in the air linked to the volcano’s activity. Despite these developments, airport operations in the province continue as normal.

Authorities confirmed that flights at Bacolod–Silay International Airport were unaffected, with no cancellations reported. Kanlaon Volcano, the highest peak on Negros Island at 2,465 meters above sea level, continues to show activity through gas emissions, ground deformation, and occasional ash plumes—signs that it remains unstable.

The situation has drawn attention partly because it follows a major eruption in Ethiopia, where volcanic ash caused widespread flight disruptions.