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The park is home to the spooky Yellowstone Caldera, a colossal volcano that got its name from its ability to cause global destruction in the event of a volcanic eruption. The area lies just below Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, and the area is constantly monitored by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) for signs that a similar volcanic eruption is on the way. But the geologists were surprised on the evening of August 17, 1959, during the Lake Heibgen earthquake that inevitably created a new lake on the Madison River after a landslide.
A devastating earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale claimed 28 lives and caused damage of over £ 9 million (£ 200, or 266 million today).
Historian Larry Morris recalled the epic minute by minute in his 1959 book The Yellowstone Earthquake Disaster.
He wrote in detail: “Air Force Warrant Officer Victor James said,” I heard a terrible rumbling and looked up.
“I saw the whole mountain collapse. It was terrible.
“I saw a lot of fighting during World War II, but I had never heard such a roar before.”
According to the transcript, another survivor said: “The roar sounded like the end of the world.”
Mr. Morris went on to explain in detail how one of the visitors came close to death.
He added: “Camping in Madison River Valley in Montana, Irene and Burley (Bud) Bennett and their four children settled in a few hours ago, staring at the beautiful full moon as they slept.
Then Irene and Bud woke up with an “incredible roar”.
“What is happening?” Pud shouted. “He got up, but was caught in a gust of wind, rocks and water.
Read more: Yellowstone scientists’ fears exposed when an earthquake hits the region: “Volcanic eruption cannot be stopped”
“Then a landslide hit the Madison River, crashing into the river from its bottom and sending 30-foot waves upstream and downstream.”
Campers felt the power of the full waves.
When the Madison River was moved, a huge wall of muddy water and debris engulfed the camp.
“The Bennett family, the campgrounds downstream from the avalanche, was hit by one of those tsunamis,” Morris added.
“When she arrived, Irene was face down on the river bank, pinned under a pine that didn’t move, shivering in the wet cold.
“I felt bruises and blood all over his body and his lips were swollen.”
Fortunately, the Bennett family were rescued by rescuers who responded to the devastation.
Today, tourists can stop by the Lake Earthquake Visitor Center, located 27 miles northwest of Yellowstone, to relive the terror of more than half a century ago.
In 2016 The History Press published the book “The 1959 Yellowstone Earthquake Disaster” and it is available for purchase here.
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