The Hebgen Lake Earthquake Buried a Campground Under 80 Million Tons of Rock

Monday, August 17, marks the 67th anniversary of the Hebgen Earthquake in West Yellowstone, Montana. Also often called the Yellowstone Earthquake, this major seismic event triggered a landslide that killed 28 people. Here is a look back at this tragic natural disaster.

Rare Powerful Earthquake Kills 28 People in Montana in 1959

Yellowstone National Park was packed with summer visitors when a magnitude 7.3 earthquake rattled the popular vacation spot on August 17, 1959. The earthquake was distinguished as the largest quake ever recorded in the Rocky Mountains.

On the night of the deadly event, the area around the Madison River was filled with people camping and enjoying the region's natural beauty. It was a beautiful night with clear skies, perfect for stargazing and breathing in the fresh mountain air.

The peaceful night was shattered at about 11:30 pm when an earthquake rattled the Madison Canyon, causing a massive part of the southern mountainside to rumble down the canyon wall. The debris crashed into the river, sending boulders flying through the sky and creating a monumental rock slide.

All of this happened roughly seven miles from the Hebgen Lake Dam. The eighty million tons of rock plunged to the bottom of the canyon, creating a second dam as the soil settled. Over 300 campers and residents became trapped between the two dams, unable to escape the force of Mother Nature.

Eyewitness Reports Paint Picture of Terror

Eyewitnesses reported hearing a rumble and a deafening sound before noticing that the mountain was crashing down on them. The earthquake was so significant that it was felt in eight states. The rocks tumbling down the mountain and into the canyon unleashed hurricane-like winds. The winds were strong enough to overturn vehicles and cause significant damage to campers.

Visitors in the park tried to escape the madness in the middle of the night. However, many of these efforts were fruitless, as the rock slide damaged several roads and bridges, making them impassable.

In addition to the damage from the winds and rock slide, a mini tsunami began to create catastrophic waves on both sides of Hebgen Dam. The waves knocked people off their feet and homes from their foundations, sweeping them into the river.

The movement of the quake also caused the water levels of the north side of Hebgen Lake to fall dramatically. The water sloshing back and forth had enough force to destroy structures and roads on the northern flank of the lake, adding to the overall damage.

All of the chaos was exacerbated because the event happened in the middle of the night under the cover of darkness. It was not until daybreak that rescuers were able to get a better handle on the situation, setting up their command center at a place that they would call Rescue Point.

A number of local and national law enforcement agencies were involved in the rescue efforts, including the U.S. Forest Service and Hill Air Force Base in Utah. Smokejumpers jumped from planes to search for injured and trapped campers. Helicopters used Rescue Point to stage their operations and ferry the rescued victims to the hospital. One helicopter pilot rescued 21 people in eight trips. Several bulldozers were also brought in to make a new road next to the lake so that aid vehicles could reach the victims.

Entire New Lake Forms

The force of the landslide created a natural dam near the man-made dam. All these years later, the Madison River is still filling the valley located between the two dams. The bottom of the river is now a memorial to the victims, as 19 people are still believed to be at the bottom. The new lake was christened Earthquake Lake, or Quake Lake.

Today, people can pay their respects by visiting the site of the tragedy. It is about a 30-minute drive to the site from West Yellowstone, making it a good side trip when visiting the national park. The remnants of the destroyed cabins and some of the dead trees are still visible in the lake bed.

The visitor center is full of informative exhibits and artifacts, as well as a movie dedicated to the people who lost their lives in this event. A large boulder near the visitor center is the same one that rolled up the canyon when the landslide was triggered, sitting in the same spot that it landed that night. A plaque with the names of the people who perished that night is attached to the boulder.

This tranquil part of Big Sky Country serves as a reminder of the unpredictability and power of nature.

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