On August 17, 1959, a massive earthquake near the Madison River and Hebgen Lake triggered a catastrophic landslide. In less than sixty seconds, more than 80 million tons of rock careened down a mountainside blocking the Madison River and canyon below. The event created Earthquake Lake, which today still has tall, barren pine trees eerily standing out of the lake. Twenty-eight people lost their lives that night. The Earthquake Lake Visitor Center, run by the Forest Service, features an interpretive environment and movie chronicling the event. The visitor center is located 27 miles from West Yellowstone, following US Highway 287.