Gulf geyser stops gushing, but will it hold?

[July 16, 2010]  NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Now the wait begins.

BP has finally gained control over one of America's biggest environmental catastrophes by placing a carefully fitted cap over a runaway geyser that has been gushing crude into the Gulf of Mexico since early spring. Engineers, politicians and Gulf residents will watch anxiously over the next day and a half to see if it holds.

After nearly three months and up to 184 million gallons, the accomplishment was greeted with hope, high expectations -- and, in many cases along the beleaguered coastline, disbelief. But no one is declaring victory just yet.

The next hours will be critical. Engineers and scientists will be monitoring the cap around the clock, looking for pressure changes.

[Associated Press; By COLLEEN LONG and HARRY R. WEBER]

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