According to a news article from 6 August, a volcanologist from PHIVOLCS reported that the number of earthquakes from Mayon had decreased, but the volume of sulfur dioxide emissions had increased sharply during the previous 24 hours. On 4 August, sulfur dioxide was emitted at a rate of 707 tonnes per day, down from 915 tonnes per day on 30 July. The rate increased to 1,977 tonnes per day on 5 August. Authorities declared four villages off-limits to people.

Geological Summary. Symmetrical Mayon, which rises above the Albay Gulf NW of Legazpi City, is the most active volcano of the Philippines. The steep upper slopes are capped by a small summit crater. Recorded eruptions since 1616 CE range from Strombolian to basaltic Plinian, with cyclical activity beginning with basaltic eruptions, followed by longer periods of andesitic lava flows. Eruptions occur predominately from the central conduit and have also produced lava flows that travel far down the flanks. Pyroclastic density currents and mudflows have commonly swept down many of the approximately 40 ravines that radiate from the summit and have often damaged populated lowland areas. A violent eruption in 1814 killed more than 1,200 people and devastated several towns.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer