The Seismic Shake that Shaped this Lake
N 44° 51.058 W 111° 24.252
12T E 468060 N 4966474
On the night of August 17, 1959, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake in Madison River Canyon caused a massive landslide. The landslide created a dam that sealed the west end of the canyon, blocking the flow of the river and creating a new lake overnight.
Waymark Code: WMF7CM
Location: Montana, United States
Date Posted: 09/05/2012
Views: 7
Three signs along US Highway 287 mark the east entrance to the Madison Canyon Earthquake Area. This area includes Hebgen Lake, Earthquake Lake, the Ghost Town of Cliff Lake, the Refuge Point memorial marker, the Madison Canyon Landslide Dam (created by the earthquake), and the Madison River Earthquake Visitor's Center.
Describe the area and history:
By 1898 a 10-foot wide road was built through the Gallatin Canyon to Taylors Fork and the park line. In 1911 a crude, narrow wagon road went to "Yellowstone" (West Yellowstone), 90 miles from the county seat at Bozeman. In 1926, the road was graveled. West Yellowstone started with the coming of the railroad in 1908.
This area contains many historical interests: Hebgen Lake and dam, Quake Lake and the Madison River Earthquake Visitor's Center at the site of the August 17, 1959 mountain slide.
Near here was the Grayling Post Office that served from 1989 to 1951. Missouri Flats (Madison County) was homesteaded by people from Missouri in 1911. Still standing in the ghost town of Cliff Lake in Madison county (2002) are the school, teacherage, store and post office. The Fir Ridge Cemetery overlooks Hebgen Lake.
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