Sometimes they call in with questions like, 'Am I seeing what I think I'm seeing?' It's fun to see how people are interpreting the data on their own, taking a stab at being amateur scientists.

I think with what's happening, a lot of people are becoming more observant through time, and it helps us. We're getting good data.

I'm hoping more people are geared to do that if we have another explosive eruption. We're very happy to have samples, and most people are very enthusiastic about getting them, so it's a win-win situation.

A lot of teachers from elementary to university classes have been requesting ash samples through our Web site to do science projects. It's intriguing. From all over the United States, people are seizing the opportunity to do real-time studies of the volcano.

It's totally different. But it's a lot of fun. We're the same type of player.

It's double duty. But that's why you play the game. It's fun to go out there and help our defense out while at the same time preparing myself to play.