Hello Amanda - I've cc'd Janet Schaefer on this email, who has quite a bit of experience working on Okmok. Regarding safety protocols - will you have a satellite phone or Delorme device (or something similar?) If you let us know when you're out there, and a way to contact you, we would attempt to contact you if we saw a substantial increase in volcanic activity. You can also download the preliminary volcano-hazards assessment for Okmok here: https://www.avo.alaska.edu/downloads/reference.php?citid=4029 Thank you, Cheryl Cameron ps: collared lemmings sound cute! We'd love photos of Okmok or Okmok+lemmings, if you send them when you come back. -------- Amanda Droghini wrote: Hi, I'm a researcher at UAA and am conducting a pilot study on collared lemmings on eastern Umnak for two weeks in May/June. I was hoping to speak to someone who has on-the-ground experience about the topography and weather conditions on the island. We are hoping to sample along an elevational gradient but my hunch is that might be difficult at that time of the year. As well, I was wondering if you had any recommendations for safety protocols in case of volcanic activity on or near Umnak. We are intending to sign up for the e-mail alerts, but it is unlikely that we will have Internet access while we are there. Thanks in advance, Amanda -- Cheryl Cameron Geologist, Alaska Volcano Observatory Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys voice: 907-451-5012 fax: 907-451-5050