STEVEN JAMES SAUNDERS, has been living in Papua New Guinea for 13 years. He is married to a Papua New Guinean, Florence, and have two children, Jasmin 8 and Stanley 5.

He has been involved in the geodetic surveying of volcanoes since 1985 when he first visited Mount Etna as a field assistant. In 1989 was the recipient of the Geological Society of London’s ‘Timothy Jefferson field research grant’.

Steve has organised and led many resurveys of various volcanic, earthquake and landslide areas, He has been published in several books about ground deformation of active volcanoes', In 1996 he became Chief Geodetic Surveyor at the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory. This job requires the continual and routine monitoring of ground deformation at the 44 active volcanoes of Papua New Guinea. He often visits out laying places to preform public awarness duties. Others interests - Athletics; sprints and cross-country enjoys Rugby, diving, walking, rock climbing, caving and fishing.

Ritter Island Volcano Report June 2009 Expedition OE thanks scientist and taskforce member Steve Saunders for his report following the OE expedition to Ritter, even if your not into Volcanoes Steve's report is full of interesting insights about this unique island's history as the largest recorded oceanic eruption and landslide event.