Las Vegas volcano is hotter than ever

ByABC News
December 8, 2008, 11:48 AM

— -- The Mirage Volcano on the Vegas Strip, dormant since February, will erupt again at 5 p.m. Monday in even more spectacular fashion after a $25 million makeover.

It'll be bigger, hotter and louder, thanks to re-engineering, a new and thunderous soundtrack co-composed by Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart, and special-effects "lava" and fireballs from the group known for the Bellagio's dancing fountains. As before, viewing is free.

The volcano is due to spew every hour on the hour from dusk to 11 p.m. outside The Mirage, says Christi Braginton, a hotel spokeswoman. In the revamped version, 120 fireballs flare in a lagoon around the volcano, allowing spectators to feel the heat.

On New Year's Eve, motorcycle daredevil Robbie Knievel son of the late, great Evel Knievel is due to leap over the lagoon as the volcano does its thing.