I caught this image making the rounds on Tumblr the other day and just had to find out more. Turns out it is but one tiny piece of a large chunk of documentation of the collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Washington state best known as Galloping Gertie. Constructed in 1938, the bridge was celebrated for being the worlds third largest suspension bridge but was troubled from the start. Basically, the wind from the Pugent Sound was able to tune into the structures natural resonant frequency; causing it collapse on itself.

Take some time to watch the footage of the collapse.. it is absolutely surreal to see a trusted structure bend, sway and distort the way it does. The upside to the affair? The remants of the bridge act as a natural coral reef.