Dana Johnston

Dana Johnston is an earth scientist specializing in experimental studies of magmatic and volcanic processes. He earned his doctorate at the University of Minnesota and then joined the faculty of the University of Oregon where he rose through the ranks to dean of the natural sciences division before retiring in 2014. Along the way he co-edited Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research and co-authored nearly 100 scientific publications, many describing laboratory simulations of magma genesis at the very high pressures and temperatures of our planet’s interior.

While growing up he lived on both coasts of the United States, and in Lebanon, Puerto Rico and England. He has also travelled widely visiting volcanoes and other geological features throughout the world, including Alaska, Antarctica, Australia, Baffin Island, the Galapagos, Greenland, Hawaii, Iceland, Newfoundland, Norway, Oman, Patagonia and Svalbard.

Dana’s association with Lindblad began after retirement, as a guest on an expedition to the White Continent. Subsequent travel to Svalbard, west Greenland, and South Georgia Island so enthralled him that he sought a position on Lindblad’s naturalist staff and joined the team in 2018. He is a huge enthusiast of all-things-magmatic, and is particularly drawn to Earth’s highest latitudes, both north and south.