Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island in the central Philippines erupted around midday Saturday, local time. That was shortly after midnight Eastern time. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, known as PHIVOLCS, called it a "moderately explosive eruption."

The blast sent a plume 5 to 6 kilometers, or about 3 to 4 miles, above the summit crater, GMA News reported. The plume then drifted north-northeast. The event ended around 12:48 p.m.

Ash soon reached towns on the volcano's slopes. The Office of Civil Defense reported ashfall and a sulfur smell in part of La Carlota City and in two villages in Don Salvador Benedicto, Brigada News reported. In Bago City, people saw a volcanic cloud, heard booming sounds and felt the ground shake. Officials were still checking those reports.

The volcano stays at Alert Level 2, which means rising unrest. Signs had been building. Before the blast, PHIVOLCS counted 16 volcanic earthquakes and measured 2,138 tonnes of sulfur dioxide gas. The volcano's slopes also showed swelling, a sign of pressure underground, GMA reported.

Local governments told people to stay alert and keep out of the permanent danger zone. If ash falls, residents should wear well-fitting masks and eye protection, stay inside and keep doors and windows shut, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.

Kanlaon is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines. It rises about 2,400 meters above sea level, according to Japan's Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center, which tracks ash for aircraft. That center said it could not see an ash cloud in satellite images after Saturday's blast.

The reports differ on some details. GMA quotes PHIVOLCS saying the explosion came at about 12:46 p.m., while the Inquirer says the eruption began shortly before 12:30 p.m. The Inquirer describes a 6-kilometer danger zone, while Brigada News says 4 kilometers.

What we know: Kanlaon had a short explosive eruption, and ash fell in nearby towns.
What we don't: Whether more eruptions will follow, and how much ash fell.