The US Geological Survey says there is a need to establish a Northern Marianas volcano observatory on Saipan to monitor Anatahan and eight other Northern islands.
The coordinator of its volcano hazards program, Dr James Quick, says Saipan is the logical place to build such an observatory.
The Saipan Tribune reports that the USGS needs 8 million US dollars for its long-term goal of monitoring Anatahan and eight other islands.
Dr Quick says there are nine islands north of Saipan that are formed by active volcanoes and on average the volcanoes produce an eruption every three to five years.
