Shake, Rattle, & Fish EarthCache
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US 287 follows the lake and offers glimpses of the effects of the earthquake and landslide and allows access to a visitor center.
Quake Lake (also known as Earthquake Lake) was created after a massive earthquake struck southwestern Montana, United States on August 17, 1959. Today, Quake Lake is 190 feet (58 m) deep and six miles (10 km) long. The earthquake measured 7.5 on the Richter scale and caused an 80 million ton landslide which dammed the Madison River. The landslide roared down the south flank of Sheep Mountain, at an estimated 100 miles per hour, killing 28 people who were camping along the shores of Hebgen Lake and downstream along the Madison River.
Upstream the faulting caused by the earthquake forced the waters of Hebgen Lake to shift violently. A seiche, a wave effect of both wind and water, crested over Hebgen Dam,causing cracks and erosion.
The earthquake is the largest known to have struck the state of Montana in recorded history. The earthquake created fault scarps up to 20 feet high in the area near Hebgen lake and the lake bottom itself dropped the same distance. 32,000 acres of the area near Hebgen Lake subsided more than 10 feet.
Several geysers in the northwestern sections in Yellowstone National Park erupted and numerous hot springs became temporarily muddied.
To log this cache, you must E-mail me the approximate diameter of one of the solid rock formations that traveled from the other side intact.
Share a photo as well.
The Visitor Center is located 27 miles northwest of West Yellowstone, Montana on Highway 287. The center provides a panoramic view of the mountain that fell and the lake that was formed. It features exhibits on geology, earthquakes, interpretive talks, and videos.
The center is open daily 8:30 am to 6:00 pm from Memorial Day to mid-September. Under the Recreation Fee Demonstration Project, visitors to the center are charged $3.00 per car, $15.00 per tour bus, or $1.00 per hiker or biker. All federal "Golden" passports are honored for admission and are also for sale at the Visitor Center.
Go to waymarking.com to log WM18Y2.
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(Decrypt)
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