Gulf geyser stops gushing, but will it hold?

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Now the wait begins.

BP 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 was declaring victory just yet.

Editor's note: What about the fissures in the sea floor that are spewing oil, methane and volatile organic compounds?

See more on the Gulf oil disaster.