The Formation of Quake Lake

When the Earth Shakes and the Mountain Falls

- AMY GRISAK

August 17, 1959, was an idyllic, warm summer evening along the Madison River in Southwestern Montana west of Yellowstone National Park. There was a camaraderie among the campers basking in the picturesque setting and moonlit sky. Families became friends, dogs chased a black bear out of camp and up a nearby tree, and many enjoyed roasting marshmallows over their campfires at dark. Life couldn't have been better... until 11:37 p.m.

A 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit the Hebgen Lake region causing the mountain at the mouth of the river, close to where it flowed toward the prairie, to break lose carrying roughly 50 million cubic yards of rock 100 mph hour down the slope partially burying Rock Creek campground as it flowed up the north side of the canyon. Hurricane-force winds ahead of the slide snapped trees that were four feet in diameter, tossed the enormous cars of the day, along with people and debris, and the blocked Madison River immediately began flooding the area.

Larry E. Morris, historian and author of the book, The 1959 Yellowstone Earthquake, quoted survivor S. B. Gilstad who rightly stated, "The roar sounded like the end of the world."

THE NIGHTMARE BEGINS

And this was precisely the case for 19 people camped at the Rock Creek Campground who were instantly buried under 73 million metric tons of rumble. But for the over 250 people staying in the Madison River Canyon area, the initial quake was just the beginning of a harrowing ordeal.

Ellen Butler, Earthquake Lake Visitor Center manager and co-author of Images of America: Earthquake Lake, said this was a popular recreation spot during the summer.

"There were multiple resorts in the area. The Campfire Lodge is still there. Rock Creek Campground was over capacity so people were camping all over the place."