08/17/2026
Often, people will ask me for suggestions on places to visit around here. Quake Lake isn’t super close but if you’re in the area, it’s a must see.
Today, August 17th marks the 67th anniversary of the Hebgen Lake earthquake!
The earthquake occurred at 11:37 p.m. (MST) with a magnitude of 7.2. The U.S. Weather Bureau reported that the quake lasted 30–40 seconds traveling at 100 mph. During the quake, the surrounding landscape dropped as much as 20 feet and shockwaves caused numerous standing waves to surge across Hebgen Lake for 12 hours. Water pushed over Hebgen Dam which did not collapse. Several aftershocks ranging from 5.8 to 6.3 were reported after the quake.
The quake resulted in over 28 fatalities and left $11 million (equivalent to $121 million in 2025) in damage. The slide blocked the flow of the Madison River, resulting in the creation of Quake Lake. In 1967, the Forest Service’s Earthquake Lake Visitor Center opened its doors for the first season of operation. Today, the center provides interpretive services for more than 50,000 visitors annually. The natural attractions and the easily-seen effects of the strongest earthquake in the Rocky mountains has made this area one of the outstanding scenic and geological study areas in the west.
