A Frightening Night

Earthquake Lake Visitor Center is around 30 miles northwest of Yellowstone National Park. On the suggestion of one of our fellow campers at Meadowlake Campground, we made sure to stop there on our way to Island Park. It was cloudy and rainy when we stopped, but it seemed to add to the somberness of the place. The Visitor Center is on the site of a devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake. The facility gives a detailed account of what happened that fateful night and stories from the survivors recalling their experiences.

Along the shores of Hebgen Lake and the Madison River were many campsites, and 250 people were there on the fateful night of August 17, 1959. It started out as a nice peaceful night, but just before midnight that all changed. It all happened so quickly, taking only 20 seconds for the earthquake to upset the balance of the rocks and send them crashing into the valley below. The surrounding landscape dropped by as much as 20 feet. Hurricane force winds developed. 80 million tons of rock were shaken loose and came down the side of the mountain to the valley, blocking the flow of the river and creating Earthquake Lake. Water surged over the dam at Hebgen Lake 4 times. Besides the main earthquake, there were several strong aftershocks and tremors. Even in Yellowstone, Buildings were damaged and new geysers formed from the fractured earth.

I can only imagine the terror that must have ensued, with the darkness, the landslides, the flooding waves, and whatever else might be happening. The roads were blocked by the landslide or impassable the other direction. A total of 28 people died. While some were buried in the landslide, others died from injuries or other health issues brought on by the earthquake. Those buried are still there under the rocky debris. During the quake, a large boulder was launched and landed more than a half mile away. They believe it rode the crest of the landslide, which was behaving more like a liquid than solid rock during the earthquake. That rock is now a Memorial Boulder for those that lost their lives here.

Even 64 years later it looks very much like it just happened. The side of the mountain where the landslide occurred is still deeply scarred with the rocks that shook loose and came down. Vegetation and wildlife is slowly returning.

The landslide material that filled the valley, and created what we know as Quake Lake, did not have any outlet. In the aftermath of the destruction, the Army Corps of Engineers mobilized a large force and created a trench for the Madison River as a spillway for the new lake. The remaining lake is over 180 feet deep.

Trails and overlooks have been developed around the site so you can get better views of the area and to access the Memorial Boulder area above the Visitors Center. Inside the Center are several displays and exhibits from that night and the aftermath, along with the firsthand accounts from survivors. There is also a seismograph that is constantly recording the area for tremors and earthquakes. A sheet they had from a couple weeks ago showed a 4.2 magnitude earthquake 60 miles to the West. This is a very active area.

It is sobering to learn of this event and know that everything can change so quickly. We never know what is around the corner, I can only hope I am ready. Wish us luck as we are heading in to Yellowstone next!

Share your comments on Facebook or email us at roadfronts@gmail.com