Who Is David A. Johnston? Age, Biography, and Wiki
David A. Johnston was born on December 18, 1949, and tragically passed away on May 18, 1980. As of 2025, he would have been 75 years old. An esteemed American volcanologist, Johnston played a pivotal role in studying volcanic eruptions, particularly during the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. His commitment to understanding volcanic activity contributed immensely to the field of geology. Despite his untimely death, his work continues to inspire new generations of scientists.
| Occupation | Scientists |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | December 18, 1949 |
| Age | 30 Years |
| Birth Place | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Sagittarius |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 18 May, 1980 |
| Died Place | Mount St. Helens, Washington, U.S. 46.27694°N, -122.22417°W |
Popularity
David A. Johnston's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details regarding David A. Johnston's height, weight, and body measurements are not widely documented in public records, he was known to lead an active lifestyle, often traversing rugged terrains while conducting field research. His physical presence was characterized by a sturdy build, suitable for the demanding nature of volcanology.
Since Johnston's death, his field of volcanic eruption prediction has advanced significantly, and volcanologists are now able to predict eruptions based on a number of precursors that become apparent between days and months in advance. Geologists can now identify characteristic patterns in seismic waves that indicate particular magmatic activity.
In particular, volcanologists have used deep, long-period earthquakes that indicate that magma is rising through the crust. They can also use carbon dioxide emission as a proxy for magma supply rate.
Measurements of surface deformation due to magmatic intrusions, like those that were conducted by Johnston and the other USGS scientists at the Coldwater I and II outposts, have advanced in scale and precision.
Ground deformation monitoring networks around volcanoes now consist of InSAR (interferometry), surveys of networks of GPS monuments, microgravity surveys in which scientists measure the change in gravitational potential or acceleration because of the intruding magma and resulting deformation, strain meters, and tiltmeters.
Though there is still work to be done, this combination of approaches has greatly improved scientists' abilities to forecast volcanic eruptions.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Information about David A. Johnston's personal relationships is limited. He was known to be focused on his work and studies. However, many who knew him attest to his warm personality and ability to connect with colleagues. There is no publicly available information about a boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse during his lifetime, underscoring his dedication to his profession.
Johnston's career took him across the United States, where he studied the Augustine Volcano in Alaska, the San Juan volcanic field in Colorado, and long-extinct volcanoes in Michigan. Johnston was a meticulous and talented scientist, known for his analyses of volcanic gases and their relationship to eruptions.
This, along with his enthusiasm and positive attitude, made him liked and respected by many co-workers. After his death, other scientists lauded his character, both verbally and in dedications and letters. Johnston felt scientists must do what is necessary, including taking risks, to help protect the public from natural disasters.
His work, and that of fellow USGS scientists, convinced authorities to close Mount St. Helens to the public before the 1980 eruption. They maintained the closure despite heavy pressure to re-open the area; their work saved thousands of lives.
His story became intertwined with the popular image of volcanic eruptions and their threat to society, and a part of volcanology's history. To date, Johnston, along with his mentee Harry Glicken, is one of two American volcanologists known to have died in a volcanic eruption.
Net Worth and Salary
Given the nature of his work, specific figures concerning David A. Johnston's net worth and salary at the time of his passing are not readily available. However, as a respected senior volcanologist, Johnston likely earned a stable income from his research activities and academic positions. His contributions to volcanic research were invaluable, influencing future funding and academic opportunities for geologists.
Career, Business, and Investments
David A. Johnston's career spanned various esteemed positions focused on volcanology. He gained prominence for his field research and was a key figure at the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Johnston's insights during the Mount St. Helens eruption marked a significant turning point in the understanding of volcanic activity. Sadly, he lost his life while conducting his research during the volcano's eruption, becoming one of the first victims of the disaster.
The extent, speed and direction of the avalanche and pyroclastic flows that overwhelmed Johnston, Martin, and others were later described in detail in a paper titled 'Chronology and Character of the May 18, 1980 Explosive Eruptions of Mount St.
Helens', published in 1984 in a collection published by the National Research Council's Geophysics Study Committee. In this paper, the authors examined photographs and satellite images of the eruption to construct a chronology and description of the first few minutes.
Included in the paper is figure 10.3, a series of timed photographs taken from Mount Adams, 33 mi east of Mount St. Helens. These six photographs, taken sideways on to the lateral blast, vividly show the extent and size of the avalanche and flows as they reached northwards over and beyond Johnston's position.
Figure 10.7 from the same paper is an overhead diagram showing the position of the pyroclastic surge front at half-minute intervals, with the positions of Johnston (Coldwater II) and Martin included.
Social Network
Throughout his career, Johnston was part of numerous scientific organizations and networks. His efforts in promoting geological sciences positioned him as a significant figure among volcanologists. Although social media did not exist during his time, his legacy continues through various geological societies and educational websites that celebrate his contributions.
David Alexander Johnston (December 18, 1949 – May 18, 1980) was an American United States Geological Survey (USGS) volcanologist who was killed by the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens in the U.S. state of Washington.
A principal scientist on the USGS monitoring team, Johnston was killed in the eruption while manning an observation post 6 mi away on the morning of May 18, 1980. He was the first to report the eruption, transmitting "Vancouver! Vancouver!
This is it!" before he was swept away by a lateral blast; despite a thorough search, Johnston's body was never found, but state highway workers discovered remnants of his USGS trailer in 1993.
Education
David A. Johnston pursued his higher education at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in geology. Later, he completed his master's degree in geology with a thesis focused on volcanic processes, which served as a foundation for his future work. His academic prowess laid the groundwork for his impactful career in volcanology.
By examining Johnston’s life, we can appreciate the profound influence he had on the field of volcanology and the lasting legacy he left behind, inspiring future generations of scientists to explore and understand our planet’s geological wonders.
Following his death, Johnston was commemorated in several ways, including a memorial fund established in his name at the University of Washington to fund graduate-level research. Two volcano observatories were established and named after him: one in Vancouver, Washington, and another on the ridge where he died.
Johnston's life and death are featured in several documentaries, films, docudramas and books. A biography of his life, A Hero on Mount St. Helens: The Life and Legacy of David A. Johnston, was published in 2019.
