"Vancouver! Vancouver! This is it!" - His final words..David A. Johnston: A Beacon of Bravery

David A. Johnston was an American volcanologist who is best known for his work studying Mount St. Helens in Washington state. He was born on December 18, 1949, in Oak Lawn, Illinois, and he unfortunately lost his life during the eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980.
David Johnston worked for the United States Geological Survey (USGS) as a volcanologist and was stationed at the Mount St. Helens Volcano Observatory. He played a crucial role in monitoring the volcano's activity leading up to the eruption. He was particularly concerned about the dangers of pyroclastic flows, which are fast-moving clouds of superheated gas and volcanic debris.
On the day of the eruption, Johnston was stationed at an observation post about 6 miles (10 kilometers) away from the volcano. He was monitoring the volcanic activity and communicating his observations to his colleagues via radio. Tragically, he was one of the victims of the eruption when the lateral blast, a powerful explosion of hot gas and debris, swept over his position. His final recorded words were, "Vancouver! Vancouver! This is it!" which he radioed to his colleagues as he witnessed the eruption approaching.
David Johnston's death was a significant loss to the scientific community and a reminder of the risks involved in studying active volcanoes. He is remembered for his dedication and passion for his work, and his sacrifice has contributed to our understanding of volcanic hazards and the development of improved monitoring systems to protect communities living near volcanoes. This photo was taken 13 hours before his death on May 17, 1980.

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