List of longest natural arches

This list of longest natural arches ranks the world's natural arches by the length of their span as reported by the Natural Arch and Bridge Society.

As a disclaimer, the NABS states that the information in this list, and therefore the rankings, are subject to change due to a variety of reasons that may include updated measurements, changes in span due to natural forces, and the discovery of previously unknown arches.[1]

Longest natural arches

    Rank Name Location Length (m) Length (ft) Notes
Image of Xian Ren Qiao (Fairy Bridge 1 Xian Ren Qiao (Fairy Bridge) Guangxi, China 121
(+/-5)		 400
(+/-15)		 Span measured by Natural Arch and Bridge Society, October 2010.[2]
2 Landscape Arch Arches National Park, Utah, USA 88 290 Span measured by laser in 2004 [3]
3 Kolob Arch Zion National Park, Utah, USA 87 287 Formerly considered longest until measured by laser in 2006 [4]
4 Aloba Arch Ennedi Plateau, Chad 76 250 Rank based on estimated length only [5]
5 Morning Glory Natural Bridge Negro Bill Canyon, Utah, USA 74 243 Is not technically a natural bridge [6]
6 Rainbow Bridge Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah, USA 71 234 Formerly considered 3rd longest until measured by laser in 2007 [7]
7 Gaotun Natural Bridge Guizhou, China 70 230
8 Sipapu Natural Bridge Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah, USA 69 225 Previously ranked 4th longest until measured by laser in 2007 [8]
9 Stevens Arch Escalante Canyon, Utah, USA 67 220 Rank based on estimated length only [9]
10 Shipton's Arch Xinjiang, China 65 212
10 Jiangzhou Arch Guangxi, China 65 212
12 Hazarchishma Natural Bridge Bamiyan Province, Afghanistan 64.2 210.6 Recently discovered in 2010 [10]
13 Outlaw Arch Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado, USA 63 206 Recently discovered in 2006 [11]
14 Snake Bridge Sanostee, New Mexico, USA 62 204 Not accessible by the general public [12]
N/A Wrather Arch Wrather Canyon, Arizona, USA 75/55 246/180 Longest confirmed span outside of Utah; measured directly with steel tape [13]

References

  1. ^ Brandt-Erichsen, David. "A tour of the Big Ten". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. http://www.naturalarches.org/big9.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-19. 
  2. ^ The Natural Arch and Bridge Society, Fairy Bridge
  3. ^ Wilbur, Jay. "The Dimensions of Landscape Arch: Removing the Uncertainty". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. http://www.naturalarches.org/archinfo/landscape.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-19. 
  4. ^ Wilbur, Jay. "The Dimensions of Kolob Arch". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. http://www.naturalarches.org/archinfo/kolob.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-19. 
  5. ^ "Aloba Arch". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. http://www.naturalarches.org/big10-5.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-19. 
  6. ^ "Morning Glory Natural Bridge". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. http://www.naturalarches.org/big9-6.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-19. 
  7. ^ Wilbur, Jay. "The Dimensions of Rainbow Bridge". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. http://www.naturalarches.org/archinfo/rainbow.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-19. 
  8. ^ "Sipapu Natural Bridge". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. http://www.naturalarches.org/big9-4.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-19. 
  9. ^ "Stevens Arch". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. http://www.naturalarches.org/big9-7.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-19. 
  10. ^ "Giant natural arch found in Afghanistan". Wildlife Conservation Society. http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2011/03/30/Giant-natural-arch-found-in-Afghanistan/UPI-32651301532860/. Retrieved 2011-03-30. 
  11. ^ "Outlaw Arch". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. http://www.naturalarches.org/big11-9.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-19. 
  12. ^ "Snake Bridge". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. http://www.naturalarches.org/big9-9.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-19. 
  13. ^ "Wrather Arch". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. http://www.naturalarches.org/big9-5.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-19.