David Johnston Observatory

The observatory where I stood directly in front of the north face and shot many of these pics., was named after the volcanologist David Johnston.  Dr. Johnston and 56 others, mainly residents and campers perished from the blast.  Some residents, campers & hikers did not heed the geologists warnings to evacuate days before the blast.  On the morning of May 18th, 1980, Dr. Johnston radioed the last words he would ever speak.  "Vancouver, Vancouver, this is it"! 

The explosion shot ash and rock 63,000 miles into the air and hot smothering gases and debris propelled out of the north lateral side of the mt summit at 155 mph leaving a debris fields for many miles.