1959 Yellowstone Earthquake

[bigb56]

I just finished reading the story, it was actually in Southwestern Montana but called the Yellowstone Earthquake by many, August 17, 1959 at 11:37 PM. 50 million cubic yards of mountain fell in under 60 seconds causing a 100 MPH wind and totally wiped out a campground and dammed up a river, making a new lake. I had never heard about it, worth reading for the human aspect, how everyone got together and helped each other and how the communications got out and eventually got major rescue operations under way in a time where there were no cell phones and due to the quake taking down phone lines the only communication was some ham radio operators. Phone company was on the job within hours as well as the highway department. There are 2 books, one written by a survivor. These were some tough folks, one couple in their 70's climbed a tree to avoid the rising floodwaters and held on for over 6 hours in the freezing cold till fellow campers managed to save them.

[Ray,IN]

I remember it being on the news, I was starting my senior year of high school.

[SeeTheUSA]

My first visit to YNP was two weeks prior to the earthquake. I was 11 years old. The bears were plentiful and people were freely feeding them! Saw many moose, too.

[2cyber71]

If you go to Yellowstone you have to go to Earthquake Lake.
It’s a short drive from West Yellowstone
It has a great visitor center too

[Rexlion]

Definitely an interesting bit of history. I had never heard of it until about 10 years ago when I visited my eldest brother in Idaho and he took me for a drive around Quake Lake.

[hamm2018]

We were there last summer, and it is beautiful. Right above Quake Lake is Hebgen Lake. Hebgen Lake is really beautiful, and there is a nice campground on the north side of it.

We are going to spend a couple of nights there this coming May.

[HopsBrewster]

Sure is interesting reading. Far more interesting to visit. A must-do on your visit to YNP.
Quake Lake is only a few miles outside of YNP.