Also in the Yellowstone area
Immediately northwest of West Yellowstone is Hebgen Lake and Earthquake Lake - the epicenter of the August 1959 Yellowstone earthquake. Just a few weeks ago, a refurbished and updated Visitors' Center opened atop the massive landslide debris field that forms the dam for Earthquake Lake. A visit to Yellowstone isn't complete, IMHO, without a visit to this part of Madison Canyon. Of interesting note, two nights before the 1959 earthquake, Old Faithful missed two of its "usual" eruption times - leaving about a 3 hour gap between two consecutive eruptions. This was probably caused by the Earth's forces blocking the "geyser's plumbing". It is believed that there are still 19 within the rubble who were camping at Rock Creek Campground and buried by thousands of tons of landslide debris when the side of the mountain collapsed.
Just one note about the link Terri posted - Actually, all but one of the geothermal features of Yellowstone are alkaline, not acidic. Most of us think that acid burns are bad, but hot alkaline burns are actually worst! The linked article is excellent in giving the warning not to "get into any thermal feature drainage". If you want a good dose of reality, read the book "Death In Yellowstone: Accidents and Foolhardiness in the First National Park" by Lee Whittlesey.
Ron
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