![]() This became one of the largest mobilizations of the Corp of Engineers in the western United States. The Army Corp of Engineers was called upon to create a channel through the landslide to the Madison River bed. The earthquake caused an 80 ton landslide to travel 100 miles per hour down Sheep Mountain. Something had to be done to mitigate the rising waters that were creating an ever expanding lake. 331 US Highway 191 N, West Yellowstone, Montana 59758 USA 1 Photo Independent Add to Trip More in West Yellowstone Formed in 1971 by a large earthquake On August 17, 1959, an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale struck southwestern Montana. ![]() Even the chimney of the Old Faithful Lodge in Yellowstone NP crashed into the dining room. Cabins were floating upstream and the residents who did survive were trapped because of the destruction of the roads. A total of 28 people died, many in a campground situated along the Madison River. The six mile long lake, also known as Quake Lake, is now 190 feet deep.Įven though this is a fairly remote area, the destruction was horrific. This massive quake along the Hebgen Fault was felt in eight states and Canada. At that time it was the second largest earthquake ever recorded in the lower 48 states.Īs a consequence of the 7.3 Richter Scale earthquake, the newly created lake rose nine feet a day. The river was immediately dammed by 80 million tons of falling rock debris which is roughly the equivalent of 6.8 million dump trucks full of rock. ![]() ![]() On August 17, 1959, the earthquake caused 300 feet of mountain to fall into the Madison River Canyon. After a wonderful stay in the Island Park, ID area we were on the road to Dillon, MT and saw the signs for the Earthquake Lake Visitor Center along the Madison River and decided to stop.Įarthquake Lake in Montana was created in just 20 seconds! Near the border of Yellowstone National Park between Ennis and West Yellowstone, Montana is the site of this historic event. Earthquake Lake is one of those places that is a place of remembrance and awe for Montanans. Many times as Celia and I travel, we are reminded of the tremendous forces that shape our great country and their impacts on its residents. ![]()
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