Earthquake Lake Visitor Center will recognize the anniversary of the devastating Aug. 17, 1959, Hebgen Lake quake with special programs, survivor stories and more.
Although 65 years have passed since the earthquake struck, evidence of the powerful, landscape-altering event remains. The earthquake left behind millions of tons of debris from a massive landslide, exposed fault scarp, destroyed cabins and roads, resulted in the formation of Earthquake Lake and claimed 28 lives.
The lineup of events includes:
9 a.m. – Morning landslide walk by Joanne Girvin. Meet at the flagpole at Earthquake Lake Visitor Center.
11 a.m. – Red Canyon guided hike. Meet at the Red Canyon Trailhead.
1 p.m. – Refuge Point guided hike. Meet at the Refuge Point Trailhead.
People are also reading…
9 a.m. – Morning landslide walk led by Joanne Girvin. Meet at the flagpole at the visitor center.
11 a.m. – Mike Stickney, director of the Earthquake Studies Office at Montana Technological University, will talk about the 1959 earthquake and its effects, including fault scarps, shaking damage, the seiches on Hebgen Lake and the Madison slide.
2 p.m. – Chris Kamman, director of video production at SkyLab Media House, will share footage of the Earthquake Lake area, including aerial and underwater footage, captured for his upcoming documentary on the 1959 event.
3 p.m. – Anita Painter Thon will talk about her experience as a survivor of the 1959 earthquake.
4 p.m. – Memorial service led by Pastor Bob Everest. Meet at Memorial Boulder near the visitor center.
10 a.m. – Smokejumpers will jump at Refuge Point. Meet at the Refuge Point Trailhead. This event is dependent on smokejumper availability.
11:30 a.m. – John Owen will talk about his family’s history of visiting the Madison River from 1911 through 1960, including their experience at Halfords Camp the night of the earthquake.
1 p.m. – Refuge Point guided hike. Meet at the Refuge Point Trailhead.
3 p.m. – Jamie Farrell, research associate professor for University of Utah’s Department of Geology & Geophysics, will talk about the 1959 earthquake’s effects on the hydrothermal system of Yellowstone National Park.
All programs will take place at Earthquake Lake Visitor Center unless otherwise noted. Additional activities include sidewalk chalk artists and hands-on educational activities for children.
Earthquake Lake Visitor Center will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 16-18. The center is located 27 miles northwest of West Yellowstone on Highway 287 or 44 miles south of Ennis, For more information, call 406-682-7620.
