diff --git a/src/adjust_data.f90 b/src/adjust_data.f90
index b06f267a..1728d393 100644
--- a/src/adjust_data.f90
+++ b/src/adjust_data.f90
@@ -278,8 +278,11 @@ subroutine adjust_data_codeunits
     dat(:,1,1) = dat(:,1,1) - period*int(dat(:,1,1)/period)
  endif
 
- get_h = lenvironment('SPLASH_GETH')
- if (.not.get_h) get_h = lenvironment('SPLASH_GET_H')
+ !
+ !--recompute smoothing lengths (--geth / --get_h)
+ !
+ get_h = get_command_flag('geth')
+ if (.not.get_h) get_h = get_command_flag('get_h')
  if (ndim >= 1 .and. get_h) then
     call get_h_on_all_particles(dat,npartoftype,nstepsinfile(ifileopen),ndim,ncolumns)
  endif
@@ -619,4 +622,4 @@ subroutine get_h_on_all_particles(dat,npartoftype,nsteps,ndim,ncol)
 
 end subroutine get_h_on_all_particles
 
-end module adjustdata
\ No newline at end of file
+end module adjustdata
diff --git a/src/allocate.f90 b/src/allocate.f90
index 2c03b2d7..dcb168ce 100644
--- a/src/allocate.f90
+++ b/src/allocate.f90
@@ -181,6 +181,7 @@ subroutine alloc(npartin,nstep,ncolumnsin,mixedtypes)
 !
 !--type array if necessary
 !
+ if (.not.allocated(iamtypetemp)) allocate(iamtypetemp(0,0)) ! to avoid compiler warning
  if (present(mixedtypes)) then
     if (mixedtypes .and. .not.allocated(iamtype)) then
        allocate(iamtype(maxpart,maxstep), stat=ierr)
@@ -189,7 +190,6 @@ subroutine alloc(npartin,nstep,ncolumnsin,mixedtypes)
        !--copy contents if reallocating
        if (reallocate_itype) then
           iamtype(1:maxpartold,1:maxstepold) = iamtypetemp(1:maxpartold,1:maxstepold)
-          deallocate(iamtypetemp)
        endif
     elseif (.not.mixedtypes) then
        !--if called with mixedtypes explictly false, deallocate itype array
@@ -202,8 +202,8 @@ subroutine alloc(npartin,nstep,ncolumnsin,mixedtypes)
     iamtype = 1
 
     iamtype(1:maxpartold,1:maxstepold) = iamtypetemp(1:maxpartold,1:maxstepold)
-    deallocate(iamtypetemp)
  endif
+ if (allocated(iamtypetemp)) deallocate(iamtypetemp)
  !--make sure iamtype is always allocated for safety, just with size=1 if not used
  if (.not.allocated(iamtype)) then
     allocate(iamtype(1,maxstep),stat=ierr)
@@ -248,8 +248,8 @@ subroutine alloc(npartin,nstep,ncolumnsin,mixedtypes)
        npartoftype(:,1:maxstepold) = npartoftypetemp(:,1:maxstepold)
        masstype(:,1:maxstepold) = masstypetemp(:,1:maxstepold)
        time(1:maxstepold) = timetemp(1:maxstepold)
-       gamma(1:maxstepold) = gammatemp(1:maxstepold)
-       headervals(:,1:maxstepold) = headervalstemp(:,1:maxstepold)
+       if (allocated(gammatemp)) gamma(1:maxstepold) = gammatemp(1:maxstepold)
+       if (allocated(headervalstemp)) headervals(:,1:maxstepold) = headervalstemp(:,1:maxstepold)
        deallocate(npartoftypetemp,masstypetemp)
        deallocate(timetemp,gammatemp)
        deallocate(headervalstemp)
diff --git a/src/asciiutils.f90 b/src/asciiutils.f90
index ddb1c4e0..95b653fb 100644
--- a/src/asciiutils.f90
+++ b/src/asciiutils.f90
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ module asciiutils
  public :: string_replace,string_delete,get_nheaderlines,string_sub
  public :: ucase,lcase,strip
  public :: get_line_containing
- public :: enumerate,isdigit,get_digits,integer_to_string,split
+ public :: enumerate,isdigit,get_digits,integer_to_string,split_string
  public :: get_column_labels,read_column_labels
  public :: match_tag,match_taglist,append_number,make_tags_unique,get_value
  public :: match_column,match_tag_start,match_integer,match_lists
@@ -537,7 +537,7 @@ integer function ncolumnsline_csv(line,ntot) result(ncols)
  real :: dum
 
  ! split line by commas
- call split(line,',',fields,nfields)
+ call split_string(line,',',fields,nfields)
 
  ! report how many columns contain real numbers
  ! or blank (non-text) entries
@@ -573,7 +573,7 @@ subroutine readline_csv(line,ncols,datcol)
  integer :: nfields,i,icol,ierr
 
  ! split line by commas
- call split(line,',',fields,nfields)
+ call split_string(line,',',fields,nfields)
 
  ! read only columns that contain real numbers
  icol = 0
@@ -1013,7 +1013,7 @@ end function enumerate
 ! Split a string into substrings based on a delimiter
 !
 !---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-pure subroutine split(string,delim,stringarr,nsplit)
+pure subroutine split_string(string,delim,stringarr,nsplit)
  character(len=*), intent(in)  :: string
  character(len=*), intent(in)  :: delim
  character(len=*), intent(out), dimension(:), optional :: stringarr
@@ -1050,7 +1050,7 @@ pure subroutine split(string,delim,stringarr,nsplit)
     i = iend + len(delim) + 1
  enddo
 
-end subroutine split
+end subroutine split_string
 
 !---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 !
@@ -1095,7 +1095,7 @@ subroutine get_column_labels(line,nlabels,labels,method,ndesired,csv)
     i1 = max(index(line,'[')+1,i1)    ! strip leading square bracket
     ! try with different number of spaces between brackets (if labels not found)
     over_spaces1: do i=4,0,-1
-       call split(line(i1:),']'//spaces(1:i)//'[',labels,nlabels)
+       call split_string(line(i1:),']'//spaces(1:i)//'[',labels,nlabels)
        if (nlabels > 1) exit over_spaces1
     enddo over_spaces1
  elseif (index(line,',') > 1 .or. is_csv) then
@@ -1103,7 +1103,7 @@ subroutine get_column_labels(line,nlabels,labels,method,ndesired,csv)
     ! format style 2: mylabel1,mylabel2,mylabel3
     !
     istyle = 2
-    call split(line(i1:),',',labels,nlabelstmp)
+    call split_string(line(i1:),',',labels,nlabelstmp)
     if (is_csv) then
        nlabels = nlabelstmp  ! allow blank/arbitrary labels in csv format
     else
@@ -1117,7 +1117,7 @@ subroutine get_column_labels(line,nlabels,labels,method,ndesired,csv)
     ! try splitting with 4, then 3, then 2 spaces until the number of labels decreases
     nlabels_prev = 0
     over_spaces: do i=4,2,-1
-       call split(line(i1:),spaces(1:i),labels,nlabelstmp)
+       call split_string(line(i1:),spaces(1:i),labels,nlabelstmp)
        ! quit if we already have the target number of labels
        if (nlabelstmp == ntarget) exit over_spaces
 
@@ -1126,7 +1126,7 @@ subroutine get_column_labels(line,nlabels,labels,method,ndesired,csv)
        if ((nlabelstmp < nlabels_prev .or. nlabelstmp >= max(nlabels_prev,2)  &
             .and. i < 4 .and. .not. (ntarget > 0 .and. nlabelstmp > ntarget))) then
           ! take the answer with the previous number of spaces
-          call split(line(i1:),spaces(1:i+1),labels,nlabelstmp)
+          call split_string(line(i1:),spaces(1:i+1),labels,nlabelstmp)
           exit over_spaces
        endif
        nlabels_prev = nlabelstmp
@@ -1142,7 +1142,7 @@ subroutine get_column_labels(line,nlabels,labels,method,ndesired,csv)
        ! (this style is also dangerous)
        !
        istyle = 4
-       call split(line(i1:),' ',labels,nlabelstmp)
+       call split_string(line(i1:),' ',labels,nlabelstmp)
        nlabels = count_sensible_labels(nlabelstmp,labels)
     endif
  endif
diff --git a/src/defaults.f90 b/src/defaults.f90
index a36109cd..e23d4c28 100644
--- a/src/defaults.f90
+++ b/src/defaults.f90
@@ -46,12 +46,14 @@ subroutine defaults_set(use_evdefaults)
    use settings_xsecrot,   only:defaults_set_xsecrotate
    use settings_powerspec, only:defaults_set_powerspec
    use settings_units,     only:defaults_set_units
+   use settings_data,      only:iverbose
    use titles,             only:pagetitles,steplegend
    logical, intent(in) :: use_evdefaults
-   integer :: i
+   integer :: i,iverbose_save
   !
   !--set defaults for submenu options
   !
+   iverbose_save = iverbose
    call defaults_set_data
    call defaults_set_limits
    call defaults_set_page
@@ -66,7 +68,7 @@ subroutine defaults_set(use_evdefaults)
   !--if using evsplash, override some default options
   !
    if (use_evdefaults) then
-      print "(a)",' ** ev mode: using default settings for .ev files **'
+      if (iverbose_save >= 0) print "(a)",' ** ev mode: using default settings for .ev files **'
       call defaults_set_page_ev
       call defaults_set_part_ev
    endif
@@ -170,7 +172,7 @@ end subroutine defaults_write
 subroutine defaults_read(filename)
  use filenames,          only:rootname,maxfile
  use multiplot,          only:multi
- use settings_data,      only:dataopts,idustfrac_plot,idefaults_file_read
+ use settings_data,      only:dataopts,idustfrac_plot,idefaults_file_read,iverbose
  use settings_part,      only:plotopts
  use settings_page,      only:pageopts
  use settings_render,    only:renderopts
@@ -251,19 +253,21 @@ subroutine defaults_read(filename)
 66  continue
 
     close(unit=iunit)
-    if (nerr > 0) then
-       print "(a)",' WARNING: '//trim(filename)//' incomplete (from old code version)'
-    else
-       print*,'read '//trim(filename)
+    if (iverbose >= 0) then
+       if (nerr > 0) then
+          print "(a)",' WARNING: '//trim(filename)//' incomplete (from old code version)'
+       else
+          print*,'read '//trim(filename)
+       endif
     endif
     return
  else
-    print*,trim(filename)//' not found: using default settings'
+    if (iverbose >= 0) print*,trim(filename)//' not found: using default settings'
     return
  endif
 
 88 continue
- print "(a)",' *** error opening defaults file '//trim(filename)//': using default settings'
+ if (iverbose >= 0) print "(a)",' *** error opening defaults file '//trim(filename)//': using default settings'
 
  return
 end subroutine defaults_read
diff --git a/src/get_data.f90 b/src/get_data.f90
index eb7580fe..7283d11b 100644
--- a/src/get_data.f90
+++ b/src/get_data.f90
@@ -87,10 +87,12 @@ subroutine get_data(ireadfile,gotfilenames,firsttime,iposinfile)
  if (present(firsttime)) isfirsttime = firsttime
  if (debugmode) then
     iverbose = 2
- elseif (isfirsttime) then
-    iverbose = 1
- else
-    iverbose = 0
+ elseif (iverbose >= 0) then
+    if (isfirsttime) then
+       iverbose = 1
+    else
+       iverbose = 0
+    endif
  endif
 
  ! ipos is the offset for *which* timestep to read from files containing multiple steps
@@ -122,7 +124,7 @@ subroutine get_data(ireadfile,gotfilenames,firsttime,iposinfile)
     !
     nstepsinfile(1:nfiles) = 0
     required = .true.
-    print "(/a)",' reading ALL dumpfiles into memory'
+    if (iverbose >= 0) print "(/a)",' reading ALL dumpfiles into memory'
     !call endian_info()
 
     do i=1,nfiles
@@ -132,7 +134,7 @@ subroutine get_data(ireadfile,gotfilenames,firsttime,iposinfile)
        if (nstepsinfile(i) > 0 .and. ncolumnsfirst==0 .and. ncolumns > 0) then
           ncolumnsfirst = ncolumns
        elseif (nstepsinfile(i) > 0 .and. ncolumns /= ncolumnsfirst) then
-          print "(a,i2,a,i2,a)",' WARNING: file contains ',ncolumns, &
+          if (iverbose >= 0) print "(a,i2,a,i2,a)",' WARNING: file contains ',ncolumns, &
            ' columns (',ncolumnsfirst,' previously)'
           ncolumns = max(ncolumns,ncolumnsfirst)
        endif
@@ -144,7 +146,7 @@ subroutine get_data(ireadfile,gotfilenames,firsttime,iposinfile)
     else
        ncolumns = 0
     endif
-    print "(a,i6,a,i3)",' >> Finished data read, nsteps = ',nsteps,' ncolumns = ',ncolumns
+    if (iverbose >= 0) print "(a,i6,a,i3)",' >> Finished data read, nsteps = ',nsteps,' ncolumns = ',ncolumns
 
     !
     !--set labels (and units) for each column of data
@@ -204,7 +206,7 @@ subroutine get_data(ireadfile,gotfilenames,firsttime,iposinfile)
     !   print "(a)",' trying different endian'
     !   call read_data_otherendian(rootname(ireadfile),istart,nstepsinfile(ireadfile))
     !endif
-    if (dotiming) then
+    if (dotiming .and. iverbose >= 0) then
        call wall_time(t2)
        if (t2-t1 > 1.) then
           if (ipartialread) then
@@ -319,7 +321,7 @@ subroutine get_labels
  use asciiutils,     only:read_asciifile
  use filenames,      only:fileprefix
  use labels,         only:label
- use settings_data,  only:ncolumns
+ use settings_data,  only:ncolumns,iverbose
  use particle_data,  only:maxcol
  use params,         only:maxplot
  use readdata,       only:set_labels
@@ -339,7 +341,7 @@ subroutine get_labels
  nlabelsread = 0
  if (iexist) then
     call read_asciifile(trim(fileprefix)//'.columns',nlabelsread,label(1:min(ncolumns,maxcol,maxplot)))
-    if (nlabelsread < ncolumns) &
+    if (nlabelsread < ncolumns .and. iverbose >= 0) &
        print "(a,i3)",' end of file in '//trim(fileprefix)//'.columns file: labels read to column ',nlabelsread
  endif
 
@@ -382,7 +384,8 @@ subroutine rescale_data(firsttime,nsteps_read)
  if (firsttime) call read_unitsfile(trim(unitsfile),ncolumns,ierr,iverbose)
 
  if (firsttime) then
-    labelorig = ''
+    ! save bare column labels before units are appended
+    labelorig = label
     labelreq = ''
  endif
 
diff --git a/src/interpolate3D.f90 b/src/interpolate3D.f90
index dd8f36f9..0435295c 100644
--- a/src/interpolate3D.f90
+++ b/src/interpolate3D.f90
@@ -171,9 +171,9 @@ subroutine interpolate3D(x,y,z,hh,weight,dat,itype,npart,&
 !$omp private(pixint,wint,negflag,dfac,threadid) &
 !$omp firstprivate(iprintnext) &
 !$omp reduction(+:nwarn,usedpart)
-!$omp master
+!$omp masked
 !$ print "(1x,a,i3,a)",'Using ',omp_get_num_threads(),' cpus'
-!$omp end master
+!$omp end masked
 
 !$omp do schedule (guided, 2)
  over_parts: do i=1,npart
@@ -471,9 +471,9 @@ subroutine interpolate3D_vec(x,y,z,hh,weight,datvec,itype,npart,&
 !$omp private(ipix,jpix,kpix,ipixi,jpixi,kpixi) &
 !$omp private(dx2i,nxpix,zpix,dz,dz2,dyz2,dy,ypix,q2,wab) &
 !$omp reduction(+:nwarn)
-!$omp master
+!$omp masked
 !$  print "(1x,a,i3,a)",'Using ',omp_get_num_threads(),' cpus'
-!$omp end master
+!$omp end masked
  !
  !--loop over particles
  !
diff --git a/src/interpolate3D_geom.f90 b/src/interpolate3D_geom.f90
index bbbd963e..9b4709ac 100644
--- a/src/interpolate3D_geom.f90
+++ b/src/interpolate3D_geom.f90
@@ -152,9 +152,9 @@ subroutine interpolate3Dgeom(igeom,x,y,z,hh,weight,dat,itype,npart,&
 !$omp private(dx,q2,wab,isub,jsub,ksub,nsubpix,dsubpix) &
 !$omp reduction(+:nsub,meansubpix,ncount) &
 !$omp reduction(max:maxsubpix)
-!$omp master
+!$omp masked
 !$ print "(1x,a,i3,a)",'Using ',omp_get_num_threads(),' cpus'
-!$omp end master
+!$omp end masked
 
 !$omp do schedule (guided, 2)
  over_parts: do i=1,npart
@@ -354,9 +354,9 @@ subroutine interpolate3Dgeom_vec(igeom,x,y,z,hh,weight,datvec,itype,npart,&
 !$omp private(dx,q2,wab,isub,jsub,ksub,nsubpix,dsubpix) &
 !$omp reduction(+:nsub,meansubpix,ncount) &
 !$omp reduction(max:maxsubpix)
-!$omp master
+!$omp masked
 !$ print "(1x,a,i3,a)",'Using ',omp_get_num_threads(),' cpus'
-!$omp end master
+!$omp end masked
 
 !$omp do schedule (guided, 2)
  over_parts: do i=1,npart
diff --git a/src/interpolate3D_proj_geom.f90 b/src/interpolate3D_proj_geom.f90
index f1629318..0fa75ce2 100644
--- a/src/interpolate3D_proj_geom.f90
+++ b/src/interpolate3D_proj_geom.f90
@@ -115,9 +115,9 @@ subroutine interpolate3D_proj_geom(x,y,z,hh,weight,dat,itype,npart, &
  endif
  ncpus = 0
  !$omp parallel
- !$omp master
+ !$omp masked
  !$ ncpus = omp_get_num_threads()
- !$omp end master
+ !$omp end masked
  !$omp end parallel
 
  if (ncpus > 0) then
diff --git a/src/interpolate3D_projection.f90 b/src/interpolate3D_projection.f90
index 203c771c..aedc98e6 100644
--- a/src/interpolate3D_projection.f90
+++ b/src/interpolate3D_projection.f90
@@ -202,9 +202,9 @@ subroutine interpolate3D_projection(x,y,z,hh,weight,dat,itype,npart, &
 
  ncpus = 0
  !$omp parallel
- !$omp master
+ !$omp masked
  !$ ncpus = omp_get_num_threads()
- !$omp end master
+ !$omp end masked
  !$omp end parallel
 
  if (ncpus > 0 .and. iverbose >= 0) then
diff --git a/src/kernels.f90 b/src/kernels.f90
index a5dc5df0..f8205538 100644
--- a/src/kernels.f90
+++ b/src/kernels.f90
@@ -69,12 +69,17 @@ end function k_func
 ! cnormk values and pointer to kernel function
 !
 !--------------------------------------
-subroutine select_kernel(j)
+subroutine select_kernel(j,verbose)
  integer, intent(in) :: j
+ logical, intent(in), optional :: verbose
+ logical :: isverbose
+
+ isverbose = .true.
+ if (present(verbose)) isverbose = verbose
 
  if (j >= 1 .and. j <= nkernels) then
     !--print only if NOT using the default kernel
-    print "(a,/)",' Using '//trim(kernelname(j))//' kernel'
+    if (isverbose) print "(a,/)",' Using '//trim(kernelname(j))//' kernel'
  endif
 
  select case(j)
@@ -135,10 +140,15 @@ end subroutine select_kernel
 ! Kernel selection based on string
 !
 !--------------------------------------
-subroutine select_kernel_by_name(string)
+subroutine select_kernel_by_name(string,verbose)
  use asciiutils, only:lcase
  character(len=*), intent(in) :: string
+ logical, intent(in), optional :: verbose
  integer :: i,jkern
+ logical :: isverbose
+
+ isverbose = .true.
+ if (present(verbose)) isverbose = verbose
 
  jkern = 0
  !
@@ -169,7 +179,7 @@ subroutine select_kernel_by_name(string)
     end select
  endif
 
- call select_kernel(jkern)
+ call select_kernel(jkern,verbose=isverbose)
 
 end subroutine select_kernel_by_name
 
diff --git a/src/labels.f90 b/src/labels.f90
index 86be6121..6fbd24ed 100644
--- a/src/labels.f90
+++ b/src/labels.f90
@@ -682,4 +682,58 @@ subroutine set_vector_labels(ncolumns,ndimV,iamveci,labelveci,labeli,labelcoordi
 
 end subroutine set_vector_labels
 
+!-----------------------------------------------------------------
+!
+!  print dump file header tags and values
+!
+!-----------------------------------------------------------------
+subroutine print_headers(headervals1)
+ real, intent(in) :: headervals1(:)
+ integer :: i,nhdr
+
+ nhdr = min(count_non_blank(headertags),size(headervals1))
+ do i=1,nhdr
+    print "(1x,a,' = ',1pg14.6)",trim(headertags(i)),headervals1(i)
+ enddo
+
+end subroutine print_headers
+
+!-----------------------------------------------------------------
+!
+!  print column labels one per line (no numbers)
+!
+!-----------------------------------------------------------------
+subroutine print_column_labels(ncolumns,ncalc)
+ integer, intent(in) :: ncolumns,ncalc
+ integer :: i,nlab
+
+ nlab = min(ncolumns + ncalc,size(label),ubound(unitslabel,1))
+ do i=1,nlab
+    if (len_trim(label(i))==0) cycle
+    if (len_trim(unitslabel(i)) > 0 .and. index(label(i),trim(unitslabel(i)))==0) then
+       print "(a)",trim(label(i))//trim(unitslabel(i))
+    else
+       print "(a)",trim(label(i))
+    endif
+ enddo
+
+end subroutine print_column_labels
+
+!-----------------------------------------------------------------
+!
+!  print original column labels one per line (no units, no numbers)
+!
+!-----------------------------------------------------------------
+subroutine print_column_labels_orig(ncolumns)
+ integer, intent(in) :: ncolumns
+ integer :: i,nlab
+
+ nlab = min(ncolumns,size(labelorig))
+ do i=1,nlab
+    if (len_trim(labelorig(i))==0) cycle
+    print "(a)",trim(labelorig(i))
+ enddo
+
+end subroutine print_column_labels_orig
+
 end module labels
diff --git a/src/limits.f90 b/src/limits.f90
index d8ff47bd..7d66f906 100644
--- a/src/limits.f90
+++ b/src/limits.f90
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ subroutine set_limits(ifromstep,itostep,ifromcol,itocol,use_type)
  !
  first = .true.
  do j=ifromcol,itocol
-    call warn_minmax(label(j),lim(j,1),lim(j,2),first)
+    if (iverbose >= 0) call warn_minmax(label(j),lim(j,1),lim(j,2),first)
  enddo
 
  lim2(ifromcol:itocol,:) = 0.
@@ -121,12 +121,13 @@ end subroutine rescale_limits
 !----------------------------------------------------------
 ! save plot limits for all columns to a file
 !----------------------------------------------------------
-subroutine write_limits(limitsfile)
+subroutine write_limits(limitsfile,iverbose)
  use settings_data, only:numplot,ndataplots
  character(len=*), intent(in) :: limitsfile
+ integer, intent(in) :: iverbose
  integer :: i
 
- print*,'saving plot limits to file ',trim(limitsfile)
+ if (iverbose >= 0) print*,'saving plot limits to file ',trim(limitsfile)
 
  open(unit=55,file=limitsfile,status='replace',form='formatted',ERR=998)
  do i=1,numplot
@@ -145,10 +146,10 @@ subroutine write_limits(limitsfile)
  return
 
 998 continue
- print*,'*** error opening limits file: limits not saved'
+ if (iverbose >= 0) print*,'*** error opening limits file: limits not saved'
  return
 999 continue
- print*,'*** error saving limits'
+ if (iverbose >= 0) print*,'*** error saving limits'
  close(unit=55)
 
 end subroutine write_limits
@@ -158,7 +159,7 @@ end subroutine write_limits
 !----------------------------------------------------------
 subroutine read_limits(limitsfile,ierr)
  use labels,        only:label
- use settings_data, only:numplot,ncolumns,ncalc
+ use settings_data, only:numplot,ncolumns,ncalc,iverbose
  use asciiutils,    only:ncolumnsline
  character(len=*), intent(in) :: limitsfile
  integer,         intent(out) :: ierr
@@ -176,7 +177,7 @@ subroutine read_limits(limitsfile,ierr)
  endif
 
  open(unit=54,file=limitsfile,status='old',form='formatted',err=997)
- print "(a)",' read '//trim(limitsfile)
+ if (iverbose >= 0) print "(a)",' read '//trim(limitsfile)
  do i=1,numplot
     read(54,"(a)",err=998,end=999) line
     ncolsline = ncolumnsline(line)
@@ -193,19 +194,21 @@ subroutine read_limits(limitsfile,ierr)
     !
     !--warn if limits are the same
     !
-    call warn_minmax(label(i),lim(i,1),lim(i,2))
+    if (iverbose >= 0) call warn_minmax(label(i),lim(i,1),lim(i,2))
  enddo
  close(unit=54)
  return
 
 997 continue
- print*,trim(limitsfile),' not found'
+ if (iverbose >= 0) print*,trim(limitsfile),' not found'
  ierr = 1
  return
 998 continue
- call print_rangeinfo()
- call print_lim2info()
- print*,'*** error reading limits from file'
+ if (iverbose >= 0) then
+    call print_rangeinfo()
+    call print_lim2info()
+    print*,'*** error reading limits from file'
+ endif
  ierr = 2
  close(unit=54)
  return
@@ -213,13 +216,15 @@ subroutine read_limits(limitsfile,ierr)
  !--only give error if we really do not have enough columns
  !  (on first call nextra is not set)
  if (i < ncolumns+ncalc) then
-    print "(a,i3)",' end of file in '//trim(limitsfile)//': limits read to column ',i
+    if (iverbose >= 0) print "(a,i3)",' end of file in '//trim(limitsfile)//': limits read to column ',i
     ierr = -1
  endif
 
  !--print info about range restrictions read from file
- call print_rangeinfo()
- call print_lim2info()
+ if (iverbose >= 0) then
+    call print_rangeinfo()
+    call print_lim2info()
+ endif
  close(unit=54)
 
 end subroutine read_limits
diff --git a/src/menu.f90 b/src/menu.f90
index 3cd06231..29678200 100644
--- a/src/menu.f90
+++ b/src/menu.f90
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ subroutine menu
  use limits,           only:write_limits,lim2,lim,reset_lim2,lim2set
  use options_data,     only:submenu_data
  use settings_data,    only:ndim,numplot,ndataplots,nextra,ncalc,ivegotdata, &
-                             buffer_data,ncolumns,icoords,icoordsnew,iRescale
+                             buffer_data,ncolumns,icoords,icoordsnew,iRescale,iverbose
  use settings_limits,  only:submenu_limits,iadapt
  use settings_part,    only:submenu_particleplots,mstari
  use settings_page,    only:submenu_page,submenu_legend,interactive,nacross,ndown
@@ -402,7 +402,7 @@ subroutine menu
              call set_filenames(trim(fileprefix))
           endif
           call defaults_write(defaultsfile)
-          call write_limits(limitsfile)
+          call write_limits(limitsfile,iverbose)
           if (iRescale) call write_unitsfile(unitsfile,ncolumns)
 !------------------------------------------------------------------------
 !+ Slightly obsolete: prints whatever help may be helpful
diff --git a/src/read_data_sphNG.f90 b/src/read_data_sphNG.f90
index 857be5fa..c69d94e6 100644
--- a/src/read_data_sphNG.f90
+++ b/src/read_data_sphNG.f90
@@ -1516,10 +1516,13 @@ subroutine read_data_sphNG(rootname,indexstart,iposn,nstepsread)
  get_kappa_tot = lenvironment("SPLASH_GET_KAPPATOT")
  get_kappa = lenvironment("SPLASH_GET_KAPPA") .or. get_kappa_tot
  get_ionfrac = lenvironment("SPLASH_GET_ION")
- if ((get_temperature .or. get_kappa) .and. itempcol > 0 .and. required(itempcol)) then
-    required(irho) = .true.
-    required(irhorestframe) = .true.
-    required(iutherm) = .true.
+ ! force read of rho/u when deriving T or kappa (itempcol may still be 0 on first call)
+ if (get_temperature .or. get_kappa) then
+    if (itempcol == 0 .or. required(itempcol)) then
+       if (irho > 0) required(irho) = .true.
+       if (irhorestframe > 0) required(irhorestframe) = .true.
+       if (iutherm > 0) required(iutherm) = .true.
+    endif
  endif
  if (get_ionfrac .or. get_kappa) then
     required(irho) = .true.
@@ -1548,7 +1551,7 @@ subroutine read_data_sphNG(rootname,indexstart,iposn,nstepsread)
  enddo
 
  if (iverbose >= 1) print "(1x,a)",'reading sphNG format'
- write(*,"(26('>'),1x,a,1x,26('<'))") trim(dumpfile)
+ if (iverbose >= 0) write(*,"(26('>'),1x,a,1x,26('<'))") trim(dumpfile)
 
  debug = lenvironment('SSPLASH_DEBUG')
  if (debug) iverbose = 1
@@ -2312,40 +2315,6 @@ subroutine read_data_sphNG(rootname,indexstart,iposn,nstepsread)
     if (allocated(iorig) .and. .not.got_iorig) deallocate(iorig) ! did not find id/iorig in dump
     call read_composition(compfile,ntotal,dat(:,:,j),icomp_col_start,ncomp,iorig)
  endif
- !
- !--calculate the temperature from density and internal energy (using physical units)
- !
- unit_dens = umass/(udist**3)
- !
- !--use primitive density for relativistic code
- !
- idenscol = irho
- if (irhorestframe > 0) idenscol = irhorestframe
-
- if (get_temperature .and. itempcol > 0 .and. required(itempcol)) then
-    unit_ergg = (udist/utime)**2
-    dat(1:ntotal,itempcol,j) = get_temp_from_u(dat(1:ntotal,idenscol,j)*unit_dens,dat(1:ntotal,iutherm,j)*unit_ergg) !irho = density
- endif
- if (get_kappa .and. ikappa > 0 .and. required(ikappa) .and. itemp > 0) then
-    write(*,"(1x,a,3(f5.2,1x))",advance='no') 'X,Y,Z = ',Xfrac,Yfrac,1.-Xfrac-Yfrac
-    if (get_kappa_tot) then
-       write(*,*) ' (opacity uses electron scattering, Kramers and H-)'
-    else
-       write(*,*) ' (electron scattering opacity only)'
-    endif
-    dat(1:ntotal,ikappa,j) = get_opacity(dat(1:ntotal,idenscol,j)*unit_dens,&
-                                         dat(1:ntotal,itemp,j)*1.d0,Xfrac,Yfrac,get_kappa_tot)
- endif
- if (get_ionfrac .and. iHIIcol > 0 .and. iHeIIcol > 0 .and. iHeIIIcol > 0&
-     .and. any(required(iHIIcol:iHeIIIcol))) then
-    do i=1,ntotal
-       call ionisation_fraction(real(dat(i,idenscol,j)*unit_dens),dat(i,itemp,j),&
-                                real(Xfrac),real(Yfrac),xHIi,xHIIi,xHeIi,xHeIIi,xHeIIIi,nei)
-       dat(i,iHIIcol,j)=xHIIi
-       dat(i,iHeIIcol,j)=xHeIIi
-       dat(i,iHeIIIcol,j)=xHeIIIi
-    enddo
- endif
 
  !--set flag to indicate that only part of this file has been read
  if (.not.all(required(1:ncolstep))) ipartialread = .true.
@@ -2480,7 +2449,51 @@ subroutine read_data_sphNG(rootname,indexstart,iposn,nstepsread)
 
  endif iphasealloc
 
+ !
+ !--set labels before deriving T/kappa so iutherm, itemp etc. are known
+ !
  call set_labels_sphNG
+ !
+ !--calculate temperature from density and internal energy (physical units)
+ !  must come after set_labels so the u column index (iutherm) is identified
+ !
+ unit_dens = umass/(udist**3)
+ !--use primitive density for relativistic code
+ idenscol = irho
+ if (irhorestframe > 0) idenscol = irhorestframe
+
+ if (get_temperature .and. itempcol > 0 .and. required(itempcol)) then
+    if (iutherm > 0 .and. idenscol > 0) then
+       unit_ergg = (udist/utime)**2
+       dat(1:ntotal,itempcol,j) = get_temp_from_u(dat(1:ntotal,idenscol,j)*unit_dens,&
+                                                  dat(1:ntotal,iutherm,j)*unit_ergg)
+    else
+       if (iverbose >= 0) print "(a)",' WARNING: --temp requested but cannot locate density/u columns; temperature not computed'
+    endif
+ endif
+ if (get_kappa .and. ikappa > 0 .and. required(ikappa) .and. itemp > 0 .and. idenscol > 0) then
+    if (iverbose >= 0) then
+       write(*,"(1x,a,3(f5.2,1x))",advance='no') 'X,Y,Z = ',Xfrac,Yfrac,1.-Xfrac-Yfrac
+       if (get_kappa_tot) then
+          write(*,*) ' (opacity uses electron scattering, Kramers and H-)'
+       else
+          write(*,*) ' (electron scattering opacity only)'
+       endif
+    endif
+    dat(1:ntotal,ikappa,j) = get_opacity(dat(1:ntotal,idenscol,j)*unit_dens,&
+                                         dat(1:ntotal,itemp,j)*1.d0,Xfrac,Yfrac,get_kappa_tot)
+ endif
+ if (get_ionfrac .and. iHIIcol > 0 .and. iHeIIcol > 0 .and. iHeIIIcol > 0&
+     .and. any(required(iHIIcol:iHeIIIcol)) .and. idenscol > 0 .and. itemp > 0) then
+    do i=1,ntotal
+       call ionisation_fraction(real(dat(i,idenscol,j)*unit_dens),dat(i,itemp,j),&
+                                real(Xfrac),real(Yfrac),xHIi,xHIIi,xHeIi,xHeIIi,xHeIIIi,nei)
+       dat(i,iHIIcol,j)=xHIIi
+       dat(i,iHeIIcol,j)=xHeIIi
+       dat(i,iHeIIIcol,j)=xHeIIIi
+    enddo
+ endif
+
  if (.not.phantomdump) then
     if (ngas /= npart - nptmassi - ndust - nstar - nunknown) &
            print*,'WARNING!!! ngas =',ngas,'but should be',npart-nptmassi-ndust-nstar-nunknown
diff --git a/src/set_options_from_dataread.f90 b/src/set_options_from_dataread.f90
index a7ca6eee..6b633d73 100644
--- a/src/set_options_from_dataread.f90
+++ b/src/set_options_from_dataread.f90
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ subroutine set_options_dataread()
              if (iverbose >= 1) print "(a)",' (plotting of '//trim(labeltype(itype))//' particles turned ON)'
           endif
        enddo
-       print*
+       if (iverbose >= 1) print*
     endif
     ! Set particle colouring if it can't render
     if (irho==0 .or. ih==0) then
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ subroutine set_options_dataread()
  !--for fits cubes, turn on cross section by default if 3D
  if (ndim >= 3 .and. .not.idefaults_file_read .and. ifileopen > 0) then  ! only on first data read
     if (index(rootname(ifileopen),'.fits') > 0) then
-       print "(a)",' turning cross section ON for fits cube'
+       if (iverbose >= 0) print "(a)",' turning cross section ON for fits cube'
        xsec_nomulti = .true.
     endif
  endif
diff --git a/src/splash.f90 b/src/splash.f90
index ee35fe45..ab15dcf1 100644
--- a/src/splash.f90
+++ b/src/splash.f90
@@ -646,12 +646,13 @@ program splash
  use projections3D,      only:setup_integratedkernel
  use settings_data,      only:buffer_data,lowmemorymode,debugmode,ndim,ncolumns,iexact,&
                               ncalc,nextra,numplot,ndataplots,device,ivegotdata,iautorender,&
-                              track_string,iRescale,enforce_code_units,UseTypeinRenderings
+                              track_string,iRescale,enforce_code_units,UseTypeinRenderings,&
+                              iverbose,iCalcQuantities
  use system_commands,    only:get_number_arguments,get_argument
  use system_utils,       only:lenvironment,renvironment,envlist, &
                               get_environment_or_flag,get_command_option,get_command_flag
  use asciiutils,         only:read_asciifile,basename,match_column,&
-                              sort_filenames_for_comparison,split,extension
+                              sort_filenames_for_comparison,split_string,extension
  use write_pixmap,       only:isoutputformat,iwritepixmap,pixmapformat,isinputformat,ireadpixmap,readpixformat
  use convert,            only:convert_all
  use write_sphdata,      only:issphformat
@@ -668,12 +669,15 @@ program splash
  use set_options_from_dataread, only:set_options_dataread
  use exact,              only:ispiral,nfiles_exact=>nfiles,filename_exact
  use multiplot,          only:itrans
- use labels,             only:lenlabel,label,unitslabel,shortlabel,irho
+ use labels,             only:lenlabel,label,unitslabel,shortlabel,irho,&
+                              print_headers,print_column_labels,print_column_labels_orig
  use interactive_routines, only:set_movie_mode
+ use particle_data,      only:headervals
  implicit none
  integer :: i,ierr,nargs,ipickx,ipicky,irender,icontour,ivecplot,il
  logical :: ihavereadfilenames,evsplash,doconvert,useall,iexist,use_360,got_format,do_multiplot
  logical :: using_default_options,got_exact,sort,sort_pad,exact_flag
+ logical :: do_print_header,do_print_labels,do_print_labelsorig
  character(len=120) :: string,exactfile
  character(len=12)  :: convertformat
  character(len=lenlabel) :: stringx,stringy,stringr,stringc,stringv
@@ -712,6 +716,9 @@ program splash
  nomenu = .false.
  got_format = .false.
  got_exact = .false.
+ do_print_header = .false.
+ do_print_labels = .false.
+ do_print_labelsorig = .false.
  ipickx = 0
  ipicky = 0
  irender = 0
@@ -836,6 +843,12 @@ program splash
        case('-formats')
           call print_available_formats
           stop
+       case('header','-header')
+          do_print_header = .true.
+       case('labels','-labels')
+          do_print_labels = .true.
+       case('labelsorig','-labelsorig')
+          do_print_labelsorig = .true.
        case('-help')
           call print_usage
           print "(/,a,/)",'Userguide: https://splash-viz.readthedocs.io'
@@ -898,14 +911,22 @@ program splash
     endif
  endif
  !
- ! print header
+ ! quiet mode for --header / --labels: skip banner and suppress read chatter
  !
- call print_header
+ if (.not.(do_print_header .or. do_print_labels .or. do_print_labelsorig)) call print_header
+ !
+ ! set quiet before defaults_set so even early messages honour iverbose=-1
+ !
+ if (do_print_header .or. do_print_labels .or. do_print_labelsorig) iverbose = -1
  !
  ! set default options (used if defaults file does not exist)
  !
  call defaults_set(evsplash)
  if (use_360) call defaults_set_360()
+ !
+ ! re-apply quiet settings (defaults_set resets iverbose)
+ !
+ if (do_print_header .or. do_print_labels .or. do_print_labelsorig) iverbose = -1
 
  !
  ! read default options from file if it exists
@@ -929,13 +950,21 @@ program splash
        else
           defaultsfile = trim(string)//'.defaults'
        endif
-       print "(a)",' Using SPLASH_DEFAULTS='//trim(defaultsfile)
+       if (iverbose >= 0) print "(a)",' Using SPLASH_DEFAULTS='//trim(defaultsfile)
        call defaults_read(defaultsfile)
        call set_filenames(trim(fileprefix))
        using_default_options = .false.
     endif
  endif
 
+ !
+ ! re-apply quiet settings after defaults (namelist may reset iCalcQuantities)
+ !
+ if (do_print_header .or. do_print_labels .or. do_print_labelsorig) then
+    iverbose = -1
+    if (do_print_header .and. .not.do_print_labels .and. .not.do_print_labelsorig) iCalcQuantities = .false.
+ endif
+
  !
  ! set options based on command line flags that OVERRIDE settings in the defaults file
  !
@@ -979,7 +1008,7 @@ program splash
     endif
  elseif (got_exact) then
     iexact = 2 ! override setting in defaults file
-    call split(exactfile,',',filename_exact,nfiles_exact)
+    call split_string(exactfile,',',filename_exact,nfiles_exact)
  endif
  if (get_command_flag('code')) then
     iRescale = .false.
@@ -1000,7 +1029,7 @@ program splash
  endif
  if (nfiles >= 1 .and. rootname(1)(1:1) /= ' ') then
     ihavereadfilenames = .true.
-    if (nfiles > 1) print*,nfiles,' filenames read from command line'
+    if (nfiles > 1 .and. iverbose >= 0) print*,nfiles,' filenames read from command line'
  else
     ihavereadfilenames = .false.
     !print "(a)",' no filenames read from command line'
@@ -1016,7 +1045,7 @@ program splash
        stop
     endif
  endif
- if (lowmemorymode) print "(a)",' << running in low memory mode >>'
+ if (lowmemorymode .and. iverbose >= 0) print "(a)",' << running in low memory mode >>'
 
  !
  ! Guess format if not already set
@@ -1036,12 +1065,12 @@ program splash
     !--if no kernel has been set
     call get_environment_or_flag('SPLASH_KERNEL',string)
     if (len_trim(string) > 0) then
-       call select_kernel_by_name(string)
+       call select_kernel_by_name(string,verbose=(iverbose >= 0))
     else
-       call select_kernel(0)
+       call select_kernel(0,verbose=(iverbose >= 0))
     endif
  else
-    call select_kernel(ikernel)
+    call select_kernel(ikernel,verbose=(iverbose >= 0))
  endif
 
  ! set geometry defaults
@@ -1069,6 +1098,17 @@ program splash
     !
     call set_options_dataread()
     !
+    ! print header tags/values and/or column labels, then exit
+    !
+    if (do_print_header .or. do_print_labels .or. do_print_labelsorig) then
+       if (do_print_header .and. allocated(headervals)) then
+          call print_headers(headervals(:,1))
+       endif
+       if (do_print_labels) call print_column_labels(ncolumns,ncalc)
+       if (do_print_labelsorig) call print_column_labels_orig(ncolumns)
+       stop
+    endif
+    !
     !  translate from string to column id
     !
     if (nomenu) then
@@ -1256,6 +1296,9 @@ subroutine print_usage(quit)
  print "(a)",' -b, --buffer      : buffer all data files into memory'
  !print "(a)",' -lm, -lowmem      : use low memory mode [applies only to sphNG data read at present]'
  print "(a)",' -o pixformat      : dump pixel map in specified format (use just -o for list of formats)'
+ print "(a)",' --header          : print dump file header tags and values, then exit'
+ print "(a)",' --labels          : print column labels one per line, then exit'
+ print "(a)",' --labelsorig      : print original column labels (no units), then exit'
  print "(/,a,/)",'Command line plotting mode:'
  print "(a)",' -x column         : x axis'
  print "(a)",' -y column         : y axis'
diff --git a/src/units.f90 b/src/units.f90
index 5cf856ef..6c90de44 100644
--- a/src/units.f90
+++ b/src/units.f90
@@ -587,7 +587,7 @@ subroutine read_unitsfile(unitsfile,ncolumns,ierr,iverbose)
  !--only give error if we really do not have enough columns
  !  (on first call nextra is not set)
  if (i <= ncolumns) then
-    print "(1x,a,i2)",'end of file in '//trim(unitsfile)//': units read to column ',i
+    if (isverbose >= 0) print "(1x,a,i2)",'end of file in '//trim(unitsfile)//': units read to column ',i
     ierr = -1
  endif
  if (ierrzunits .and. ndim==3) then