Climate and atmospheric monitoring. View of the Climate Monitoring and Diagnostic Laboratory (CMDL), sited at an altitutde of 4170 meters on Mauna Loa, Hawaii. The main laboratory building is at center. Just to the left of this is a white dome which houses an instrument for measuring atmospheric ozone. At far left is a tower which has air sampling equipment at the top. The peak of Mauna Kea, seen in the background, is home to many astronomical observatories. The dark coloration in the foreground is due to the lava flows which constitute the "soil" here. CMDL is operated by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).