August 17 marks an important date in Yellowstone history: the 50th anniversary of the Hebgen Lake Earthquake. On that day in 1959, a 7.5 magnitude quake sent 80 million tons of rock, mud, trees, and debris roaring down a mountainside in the Madison River Canyon, damming the Madison River and forming Quake Lake in the process. Twenty eight campers died when they drowned or were buried by mud. Damage was estimated to be $11 million (1959 USD). Landslides blocked the road between Mammoth and Old Faithful, while guests at Old Faithful Inn and residents as far away as Ennis, Montana, were evacuated.

On August 14 to 17, West Yellowstone will commemorate the anniversary with a series of events. Learn about earthquakes from geologists. Take a guided walk with survivors of the 1959 earthquake, people who experienced the terror firsthand--in a campground, from a cabin near its epicenter, or from an NPS lookout tower at 10,336 feet. Events also include a picnic for survivors, rescue workers and families, as well as a smokejumpers re-enactment jump. A memorial service at noon on the 17th will bring the commemorative events to a close.

Prior to the Hebgen Lake Earthquake, seismic activity in Yellowstone was rarely the subject of study. Today, the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory--a partnership consisting of the University of Utah, National Park Service, and the U.S. Geological Survey--closely monitors seismic data collected by a network of 28 seismographs in the Yellowstone area and transmitted to the University in real-time by radio and satellite links. For more information and a monthly update on seismic activity in Yellowstone, go to http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/activity.

Summer may be winding down but it's not too late for a fun Yellowstone getaway. This August and September, the Institute still has room in several courses. These high quality programs are one of the best bargains in the park: tuition averages $100 per day. Choose from the following:

The Wolves of Yellowstone, August 13-15
Writing Inspired by Landscape, August 31-September 3
Behind the Scenes of Wolf Behavior and Ecology, September 2-4
Drawing in Depth: The Plants of Yellowstone, September 4-7
Reading the Stories That Trees Tell, September 5-7
Fall on the Northern Range, September 11-13
The Wonderland Collections: Up Close and Personal, September 26

To enroll, call 406-848-2400 or go online.

The founders of Folkmanis believe that imagination is the key to a healthy childhood, encouraging play and discovery to develop the skills necessary in life. We've gathered a collection of Yellowstone wildlife finger puppets for you. Buy them before your visit to teach your kids what they may see, or when you get home so they can remember all that they experienced. Approximately 6" in length. Price $6.99 to $7.99 ($5.94 to $6.79 for members)

Looking for a way to increase your support for Yellowstone National Park during challenging economic times? Yellowstone Guardians are a special group of members who provide a reliable and steady source of monthly income for the Yellowstone Association. This funding gives the Association the resources it needs to help support programs and projects in Yellowstone National Park. For as little as $10 a month-about the cost of a movie ticket-you can make a difference in preservation of our world's first national park. If you join Yellowstone Guardians by Wednesday, August 19, 2009, you will receive an attractive aluminum water bottle as our way of saying thank you! When signing up, please make sure you refer to offer code: Aug09 E-news in the comments field on our website to receive your free gift. Limit one bottle per Yellowstone Guardian membership. If you are already a member of the Association, you can still join Yellowstone Guardians and receive this gift as our way of saying thank you.