Hello Matt - Kristi Wallace, who works for AVO and runs the Alaska Tephra Lab, will answer your questions via a separate email. Thank you, Cheryl Cameron -------- Matt Kinney wrote: I dig pits for avalanche information in Valdez. I dug a pit in my yard and noticed dust layers in my pit profile. This could be ash from Bogoslof. The 24" of dry snow above the layers fell before Christmas. How do I sample it? Your sampling procedure is unclear for this depth of sample location in a snowpack. I can send you a picture of the profile if you want it. Can I scratch out what I can with knife? I have a picture of my profile if you want it. -- Cheryl Cameron Geologist, Alaska Volcano Observatory Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys voice: 907-451-5012 fax: 907-451-5050