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 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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, but an alcove natural arch.[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 | Originally believed to be 246 feet, but NABS states that it cannot be more than 180 feet [13] |
References
- ↑ Brandt-Erichsen, David. "A tour of the Big Ten". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- ↑ The Natural Arch and Bridge Society, Fairy Bridge
- ↑ Wilbur, Jay. "The Dimensions of Landscape Arch: Removing the Uncertainty". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- ↑ Wilbur, Jay. "The Dimensions of Kolob Arch". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- ↑ "Aloba Arch". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- ↑ "Morning Glory Natural Bridge". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- ↑ Wilbur, Jay. "The Dimensions of Rainbow Bridge". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- ↑ "Sipapu Natural Bridge". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- ↑ "Stevens Arch". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- ↑ "Giant natural arch found in Afghanistan". Wildlife Conservation Society. Retrieved 2011-03-30.
- ↑ "Outlaw Arch". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- ↑ "Snake Bridge". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- ↑ "Wrather Arch". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2008-05-19.