Muzaffarabad, Pakistan ? Pakistan’s army flew a team of geologists to an isolated northwestern valley Tuesday to investigate reports by anxious villagers of possible volcanic activity in the quake-shattered Himalayan foothills, a government official said.

An official from Pakistan’s meteorological department said there was little chance of volcanic activity as the country has no recent history of eruptions.

Nevertheless, a two-man team left for the Alai Valley to investigate the villagers’ claim, said chief army spokesman Maj. Gen. Shaukat Sultan. The valley is at an elevation of about 6,000 feet, surrounded by mountains.

Army helicopters flew over the rugged region of North West Frontier Province on Tuesday and found no immediate signs of an eruption, Sultan said.

Sultan speculated that aftershocks from the massive Oct. 8 quake and subsequent landslides kicking up dust could cause the terrified villagers to mistakenly believe that volcanic activity is occurring.

If the team finds evidence of volcanic activity, Sultan said there would be evacuations.

Begum Askar, left, Shaheeda, right, and Waheeda look out Tuesday from their tent, shared by a family of six at a relief camp near Kalgie.

An estimated 3.3 million people have already been left homeless by the quake, which killed about 80,000 people.

A huge international relief effort has been mounted for the victims, but fears remain for vulnerable communities in distant mountains with the harsh Himalayan winter closing in. Temperatures on Tuesday dropped to 30 degrees in the mountains, dangerous weather for those left outdoors.

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan invited ministers to attend a high-level donor conference in Geneva today to mobilize additional financial support. Despite fresh appeals and warnings of a second wave of deaths, the United Nations said Monday it has received less than 30 percent of the $312 million it needs to help the victims. Pakistan has said rebuilding the area will cost $5 billion.

U.S. officials say they are eager to show Pakistan – a major ally in the war on terrorism – that the United States is here in its hour of need. Its helicopters – mostly heavy-lifting Chinooks – are key to the air relief effort.