Seismic Swarm S20001025.1: Analysis of Activity Near Hebgen Lake, Montana
Seismic swarm S20001025.1 occurred in the Hebgen Lake region of southwestern Montana, beginning at 01:50 on 25 October 2000 and concluding at 17:21 on 27 October 2000. The sequence lasted 63 hours and 30 minutes, during which 52 earthquakes were recorded approximately 5 km east of Hebgen Lake Estates. Magnitudes ranged from -9.9 to 2.1, with the majority of events clustered between 10 and 13 km depth, indicating shallow crustal activity typical of the Intermountain Seismic Belt.
This swarm exemplifies a classic earthquake sequence lacking a dominant mainshock, instead featuring numerous small events distributed over time. Such patterns often reflect localized stress adjustments along existing faults or minor fluid migration within the crust. Depths remained consistent near 11–12 km for most events, with isolated shallower occurrences around 5–8 km and a few deeper readings near 14 km. The temporal distribution showed peak activity during the first day, tapering gradually over the following 48 hours.
The Hebgen Lake area lies within the tectonically active Basin and Range province, where extensional forces drive normal faulting. The region experienced the devastating 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake (magnitude 7.3), which ruptured the Hebgen Lake fault and triggered a massive landslide that formed Earthquake Lake. Ongoing microseismicity underscores the persistent strain accumulation along these structures, influenced by proximity to the Yellowstone volcanic system approximately 50 km to the east.
Historical records indicate that four swarms have occurred in the area since 1 January 2000, with S20001025.1 representing the earliest documented cluster. Subsequent swarms followed similar patterns of low-magnitude, high-frequency events, reinforcing the characterization of the Hebgen Lake fault zone as prone to episodic swarm behavior rather than isolated large shocks.
Monitoring data from this swarm contribute to improved understanding of precursory signals and fault mechanics in the northern Intermountain region. Continued observation supports regional hazard assessments, as even minor swarms can delineate active fault segments capable of producing larger events.
References
USGS Earthquake Hazards Program – Hebgen Lake, MT historical seismicity
Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology – Regional fault mapping
SeismoSight internal swarm classification database