The Landscape Arch in Arches National Park is the longest natural arch in the world, with a span of 290.1ft (88.4m). Geologists disagree on whether or not the arch is currently stable, as large pieces of the giant sandstone structure have broken off in recent years. Whilst some believe it will soon fall, others argue that the dropping of excess weight has actually strengthened the arch. Regardless, with the sandstone now only six feet thick at its thinnest point, hiking trails that used to snake underneath the arch have been closed for safety reasons.
The Landscape Arch is an arc natural arch eroded in Entrada sandstone. This basically means that it shows no signs or evidence of a specific process of formation. Typically, arc natural arches are those considered old and close to collapse. Indeed, the Natural Arch and Bridge Society warns that the arch could collapse at any time without warning. In the past few decades, there have been three occasions where large sandstone slabs (measuring 30, 47 and 70 feet) on the arch have fallen off. Whilst it’s no longer possible to walk underneath due to safety concerns, the arch remains a spectacle to behold. Looking at it, it’s hard to comprehend how a piece of rock just 6 feet thick at its thinnest point can support an enormous 290-foot span of rock.
Where is Landscape Arch?
Address: U.S. 191, Moab, UT 84532, United States
I moved to Utah for work last year and I am finally settled in. I was looking for areas to go check out in the summer and I came across this. I am going to have to check this out in person! This looks and sounds amazing! I am shocked i didn’t even know about it since it isn’t too far from where I live. Thanks for all the info. I have the page bookmarked.