Pacific volcano erupts near Marianas islands
(AP) – 5 hours ago

SAIPAN, Northern Marianas — Scientists say a volcanic eruption near the Pacific's Northern Mariana Islands shot clouds of ash and vapor nearly eight miles into the sky.

The U.S. Geological Survey says Saturday morning's eruption appeared to come from an underwater volcano off Sarigan, an uninhabited island about 100 miles north of the U.S. commonwealth's main island of Saipan.

USGS volcanologist Game McGimsey says the eruption was largely water vapor and strong winds are dispersing it.

No additional volcanic clouds have been detected.

The Northern Marianas are about 3,800 miles southwest of Hawaii.

Volcano blasts terror in central and South America
 By Ed Harris 30/05/2010






Thousands of people were forced to flee their homes and flights were disrupted when explosive eruptions shook two huge volcanoes in Central and South America.

Large clouds of ash drifted over major cities in the region as the volcanoes spurted lava and rocks into the air. Explosions rocked Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano, forcing the evacuations of hundreds of people from nearby villages. And in Guatemala, the Pacaya volcano started erupting lava and rocks on Thursday, closing the international airport and killing a TV reporter