Kanlaon volcano erupts in Philippines prompting urgent evacuation of 87,000

A volcano in the central Philippines explosively erupted Monday, prompting the urgent evacuation of at least 87,000 people living within the danger zone as plumes of smoke and ash billowed thousands of feet into the air.

According to information provided by the Philippines Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the Kanlaon volcano erupted just after 3 p.m. local time and sent pyroclastic flows racing down the southeastern side of the volcano based on observations from thermal cameras.

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The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said a pyroclastic flow contains hot lava, pumice, ash and other volcanic gases that move at high speeds down the slopes of volcanoes.

PHIVOLCS raised the alert level to Alert Level 3 after the initial eruption and said further explosive eruptions are possible.

The agency said it has urged local governments to evacuate communities within 6 kilometers (nearly 4 miles) of the volcano’s summit and warned that preparations should be made if additional evacuations are needed.

According to a Facebook post from the Philippines Office of Civil Defense, the urgent evacuation of at least 87,000 people was underway around the volcano after it erupted.

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Officials said an estimated 47,000 people were within the 4- to 6-kilometer (2- to 4-mile) danger zone, and transportation support was needed to assist in the evacuation of several communities.

The cities most impacted are the towns of La Castellana in Negros Occidental and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental, according to the Department of National Defense.

In preparation for a “worst-case scenario,” a local stadium with the capacity to hold 30,000 people has been designated an evacuation site, and water tankers and other supplies are being staged.

Evacuees are seen by tents erected at a shelter a day after the eruption of Kanlaon volcano in Bago City, Negros Occidental province on December 10, 2024. A volcano briefly erupted in the central Philippines on December 9, sending a huge ash column high into the sky as the government ordered the evacuation of surrounding villages. (Photo by FERDINAND R. EDRALIN / AFP) (Photo by FERDINAND R. EDRALIN/AFP via Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

On Tuesday, PHIVOLCS reported heavy rain falling on the southern slopes of Kanlaon volcano may produce lahars in nearby rivers. According to the USGS, a lahar is created by rainfall loosening sediment on steep slopes. Lahars can cause problems within rivers and streams, depositing sediment and causing local flooding.  

Rainfall seen on the south slopes of Kanlaon volcano in the Philippines on Dec. 10, 2024. 

Cities across the region have also reported to have been impacted by ashfall, and officials were working to deploy face masks and supply clean drinking water to impacted areas.

The Department of Civil Defense deployed a water filtration system to the Colegio de La Castellana covered court, providing affected residents with vital potable drinking water.

Water filtration system set up in La Castellana in the Philippines after a volcano prompted evacuations. (Image: Department of Civil Defense)

(Department of Civil Defense)

The Kanlaon volcano is among dozens of volcanoes in the Philippines within the Pacific-wide Ring of Fire, where volcanic eruptions and earthquakes are common. Last week, a powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Northern California, briefly prompting officials to issue a Tsunami Warning along the U.S. West Coast.