The Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island in the Philippines erupted on Thursday, sending massive plumes of ash into the sky.
The eruption occurred at 4:38 p.m. local time and lasted approximately two minutes, according to seismic records. A timelapse released by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) captured thick, dark-gray smoke rising more than 6,500 feet above the crater before drifting southwest.
PHIVOLCS reported that pyroclastic density currents—fast-moving, superheated mixtures of gas and volcanic material—flowed down the southern and southeastern upper slopes of the volcano, extending over half a mile from the summit crater.
An Alert Level 2 remains in effect, and authorities continue to prohibit entry within the 2.5-mile Permanent Danger Zone around the volcano.
Also known as Mount Kanlaon, the volcano is the highest peak on Negros and the Philippines’ most active andesitic stratovolcano. Since 1819, Kanlaon has erupted at least 40 times, typically producing small to moderate eruptions accompanied by localized ashfall.
