Alaska volcano quiets down after making ashy mess
(AP) -- Alaska's Mount Redoubt has simmered down after spreading a coating of gritty volcanic ash over scores of communities that include the state's largest city of Anchorage.
Monitors at the Alaska Volcano Observatory say the volcano was emitting low-level tremors Sunday but no more eruptions.
The calm follows several strong eruptions Saturday that spewed an ash cloud 100 miles northeast to Anchorage and beyond.
Observatory volcanologist Game McGimsey says the accumulation of ash about 50 miles away at Nikiski was as thick as a dime.
The volcano became active a week ago, followed by at least 18 eruptions. McGimsey says the eruptions are like "bullets coming out of a gun barrel."
The last time the volcano erupted was in 1989-90.
©2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
