The road brought us closer to the lake, where it disappeared into the water. Well, hiking that piece of road, we got a glimpse of what things would look like circa 70 AH (After Humans!)

How long would it take nature to erase the signs of our civilization? You know how you sometimes wonder what would happen if humankind were to just disappear off the face of the earth? It was fascinating to watch nature take over the old patches of asphalt. Parts of these sections are still clearly visible, and we hiked one of them. On the night of the earthquake, three sections of the road literally dropped into the valley and became covered with the newly formed lake. Our favorite part of the visit was hiking along the lake on what used to be part of Route 287. You can see how, in some spots, they manage to take root in the exposed soil. It's incredible to see that more than 70 years later, the trees still take their time to cover that side of the mountain. Outside, you can drive along Quake Lake and take in the views. We were impressed with the area of the landslide itself. You can get an in-depth review of it all by watching the movies and joining the guided walks. If you're looking to learn about the events of that night, this is the place for you. They also have a seismograph where you can see the earth's movements as they're being recorded. The Visitors Center has several displays about tectonic plates and earthquakes, as well as the specific earthquake that created Quake Lake. Today, you can visit the area and see what the earthquake left behind. What Can You Do and See while Visiting Quake Lake? The landslide was so sudden and violent that it generated winds strong enough to toss cars around! The earthquake moved the soil at astonishing speeds of more than 100 MpH (160 KpH) and buried underneath it 28 people who were camping by the river. The debris destroyed everything in its path and created a huge natural dam. An estimated 80 tons of earth covered the river and blocked its flow. The earthquake caused a massive landslide in the nearby mountains. On the night of August 17th, 1959, a major earthquake - measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale - hit the area. Until then, this was just a serene and calm valley, with the Madison River idly flowing through it. It's hard to believe, but this 6-mile-long and 190-foot-deep lake wasn't here before August 1959. Quake Lake - also known as Earthquake Lake - is fairly large.

Quake Lake offers a similarly humbling experience, showing how devastating earthquakes can be. It makes you realize how insignificant human civilization is in comparison to the real forces of nature. The surface of the geothermal basins in the park huffs, puffs, and bubbles away because of the heat of the magma so close under the soil. Visitors to Yellowstone get a glimpse into just how thin the earth's crust is. The sheer magnitude of this force of nature is clearly visible here, where an earthquake literally moved a mountain and created a new lake only a few decades ago. Throw in some good sunny weather - not hard to do during July or August - and you have the perfect setting for a day out in beautiful Montana.īut this place offers much more than just a pretty view.Īt Quake Lake, you can literally see how earthquakes - one of the most dramatic geological phenomena - change our world. This is wild Montana at its best: Forests, mountains, lakes, and wildlife. There are two excellent reasons to visit this small lake in Montana.įirst, it's beautiful. It will fill your heart with awe as you witness first-hand the sheer scale of the geological forces that shape the face of our planet. Only half an hour's drive from the town of West Yellowstone, this place is both beautiful and awesome in the most literal sense of the word. If you're visiting Yellowstone National Park, there's a special little side trip you can - and should - make.

Quake lake. wyoming