British Columbians have long feared of “The Big One,” a large earthquake that could hit BC’s costal region. This #Flashbackfriday we take a look at one of the largest earthquakes to hit BC in recent memory. On Sunday June 23, 1946, at 10:13 a.m. a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck costal BC. The epicentre was northwest of Courtenay, BC. The tremors rocked Vancouver Island and the surrounding mainland. Washington had damage to bridges and buildings, with several reports of the quake being felt as far away as Portland, Oregon. Vancouver’s tall buildings swayed back and forth. According to the Vancouver Sun, the CN Rail building had a large chunk of masonry break off and crash down to the sidewalk, almost crushing several people. Cyclists on the Lions Gate Bridge believed it was going to collapse as the bridge rattled from the extreme tectonic force. A Port Alberni farmer quoted in Victoria’s Daily Colonist said, “I was just finishing my chores when I saw the pasture land in the distance begin to wave like ocean swells.” (Daily Colonist, June 25, 1946). Remarkably, there were only two reported fatalities attributed to the quake—a boat capsizing and a heart attack. Damage on Vancouver Island was also remarkably sparse. Yes, chimneys collapsed and brick buildings failed, but it was an early Sunday morning with most people not out in dangerous areas. At the time Vancouver Island was sparsely populated with around 190,000 people; today Vancouver Island has a population of around 900,000. A modern day equivalent closer to a more populated area could be devastating. Seismologists believe that reminding British Columbians that they live in a very dynamic, active earthquake region is one of the best ways to prepare people. Learn your community's earthquake plans and make one yourself, it could make all the difference. ... #fbf #bchistory #geology #earthquake #seismic #seismology #courtenaybc #vancouverisland #vancouver #pnw #bc #britishcolumbia #vancouverislandlife #victoriabc #washington #portland #tectonic #earthtremor #vancity #canadahistory #cdnhistory #canada #hellobc #bcmagazine #naturaldisaster #history #historygram #bcnature #landscape