Kanlaon Volcano, Active volcano in Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental, Philippines

Kanlaon Volcano is an andesitic stratovolcano rising to 2,465 meters, the highest point on Negros Island and in the Visayas. Its broad cone has a slightly flattened summit with a small notch, and the active Lugud crater lies just below and north of the top. The upper slopes are bare and grey-green with vertical gullies, while the lower slopes are darker green and forested.

Kanlaon has erupted more than 40 times since 1819, mostly phreatic events of small to moderate size that dropped minor ash around the volcano. The 1902 eruption was Strombolian, throwing out incandescent cinders, lapilli, lava bombs and gas fumes. On 10 August 1996 an unannounced eruption killed three climbers near the summit crater.

The name derives from Laon, a pre-colonial Visayan goddess of creation and agriculture who was believed to govern harvests and crop protection. Farmers in the region looked to her for good yields and safeguarded their fields under her watchful presence.

Visitors need to obtain permits from local authorities and check volcanic activity alerts before planning hikes on the established mountain trails. Sturdy footwear and warm clothing are advisable due to the altitude and changing weather, especially in the summit area.

The northern caldera contains a seasonal crater lake that grows or shrinks depending on the rainy season. Numerous pyroclastic cones spread across the landscape along fissures formed by earlier eruptions.