Hi Andrew, A good source to learn about volcano monitoring is located here: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/activity/methods/ At the Alaska Volcano Observatory, many of our volcanoes are remote, so it is not practical to conduct certain kinds of monitoring on a regular basis, such as water sampling, or ground-based gas measurements. However, we have several other monitoring tools. We sometimes conduct airborne gas flights to collect volcanic gas output data, we have many volcanoes instrumented with seismometers and GPS that send near real-time data to the observatory. Several satellite data streams provide us with visual, thermal, and chemical data about the volcanoes. We have recently been using infrasound arrays to remotely detect explosions. We also rely on local pilots, boat operators, and residents to provide us with visual observations of ash fall, or photographs of volcanic activity. Webcams also help us to see what's happening at a volcano when we can't physically be there ourselves. We also spend much of our time studying the geologic deposits at volcanoes to understand their eruption history so that we can better determine the style and magnitude of future eruptions. Hope that helps! -Janet -------- Andrew Rowan wrote: Dear AVO, I am a student at Moorestown Friends School in Southern New Jersey. We are doing a project about Monitoring Volcanoes in Alaska. I am responsible for reporting how Scientists monitor Katawii Volcano. I looked around on your website and had the question of What are different kinds of data you collect? Such as Air samples, earthquake data, ground-swelling. Please let me know, Thank You