In April 1980 , Voight 's publications on landslides and avalanches and other mass movements attracted the attention of Rocky Crandell of the United States Geological Survey ( USGS ) , who asked him to look at a growing bulge on the Mount St. Helens volcano in the state of Washington . Voight foresaw the collapse of the mountain 's north flank as well as a powerful eruption . His predictions came true when St. Helens erupted in May 1980 ; Voight was then hired by the USGS to investigate the debris avalanche that initiated the eruption . After his work at Mount St. Helens brought him international recognition , Voight continued researching and guiding monitoring efforts at several active volcanoes throughout his career , including Nevado del Ruiz in Colombia , Mount Merapi in Indonesia , and Soufrière Hills , a volcano on the Caribbean island of Montserrat . For his research , publications , and disaster prevention work as a volcanologist and engineer , Voight has been honored with numerous awards , appointments , and medals
erupted in May 1980
1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens
Barry Voight