A Severe Earthquake Caused a Massive Landslide*

It was a beautiful moonlit night, August 17, 1959, when one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded on the North American continent struck the Madison River Canyon.

The earthquake, which measured 7.5 on the Richter scale, triggered a massive landslide, which sent over 80 million tons of rock crashing down into the canyon, blocking the Madison River. The water backed up behind the rocks, forming the new Earthquake Lake. High velocity winds and a gigantic wall of water swept through the area.

Earthquake at Hebgen Lake

In a matter of seconds, the earth's crust had dropped 19 feet. The land under Hebgen Lake tilted upward; cabins on the north shore were immersed in water, while portions of the south shore lay high and dry. Water sloshed back and forth, while huge waves crested over Hebgen Dam at the western end of the lake. Although the dam cracked, it miraculously held.

Three sections of Highway 287 fell into the lake. As a result of the nights' disaster, hundreds of people vacationing in the area were trapped. A total of 28 lives were lost.

Madison Canyon Earthquake Area

This immense earthquake's impact shocked and chilled the world.
Families gradually rebuilt their lives, structures and roads were reconstructed.

In 1960, 38,000 acres in the canyon were designated as the 'Madison River Canyon Earthquake Area"'.

Walking Trail

There is a short walk to the Memorial Boulder located northwest of the Visitor Center. The Memorial is dedicated to the people who lost their lives as a result of the earthquake. Their names appear on a bronze plaque on one of the massive dolomite boulders carried across the canyon by the slide.

Visitor Center

The Earthquake Lake Visitor Center is located on Highway 287 in Montana. The nearest town is West Yellowstone, MT located 27 miles away. The Visitor Center has a DVD presentation, displays on earthquakes, geology, wildlife and the Greater Yellowstone Area. There is also a working seismograph on display. The Visitor Center sells educational books, maps and DVDs.

*This text is from "Madison River Canyon Earthquake Area, Visitor Guide" produced and distributed by Gallatin National Forest, Hebgen Lake Ranger District, P. O. Box 520, West Yellowstone, MT 59758, (406) 823-7620, or www.fs.fed.us/r1/gallatin

Added 09/2011 -- Visit the restaurant at the Sportsman's Lodge in Ennis, MT, north on Rt. 287. There is a great collection of photos of the earthquake area right after the 'quake occurred. The photos are on the wall to the left as you are headed to the bar area from the restaurant area. JTW