List of longest natural arches
This list of longest natural arches ranks the world's natural arches by the length of their span as defined and measured by the Natural Arch and Bridge Society (NABS).[1][2]
As a disclaimer, the NABS states that the information in this list, and therefore the rankings, may change due to more accurate measurements in the future, changes in span length due to natural forces, and the discovery of previously undocumented arches.[3]
Longest natural arches
All known natural arches with span lengths of 180 ft (54.9 m) or greater are included in the list. Sort by clicking on column headings, excepting only the Image and Notes columns.
| Rank | Image | Name | Location | Span (m) | Span (ft) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | external image | Xianren Bridge (Fairy Bridge) | China, Guangxi, Buliu River | 121.9 | 400 | Span measured by Natural Arch and Bridge Society (NABS) in 2010. The accuracy is stated as within ±15 ft (4.57 m).[4] |
| 2 | external image | Zhijin Natural Bridge | China, Guizhou, Zhijin Cave Scenic Area | 103.6 | 340 | Span measured by NABS, 2015.[5] |
| 3 |  | Jiangzhou Natural Bridge | China, Guangxi, Jiangzhou | 94.5 | 310 | Span measured by NABS, 2010. Estimates range from 280 ft (85.34 m) to 340 ft (103.6 m), so the midpoint is listed, ±36 ft (11.0 m) which includes a ±6 ft (1.8 m) accuracy above/below the higher/lower estimate. Jiangzhou ranks somewhere between 2nd and 6th position based on current estimates.[6] |
| 4 | external image | Dachuandong Arch | China, Guizhou, Si Lian | 91.4 | 300 | Span measured by NABS, 2015.[7] |
| 5 | .jpg.webp) | Landscape Arch | United States, Utah, Arches National Park | 88.4 | 290 | Span measured by NABS, 2004.[8] |
| 6 |  | Kolob Arch | United States, Utah, Zion National Park | 87.5 | 287 | Span measured by NABS, 2006. Formerly considered longer than Landscape Arch.[9] |
| 7 | external image | Qingxudong Arch | China, Guizhou, Dafang | 76.5 | 251 | Span measured by NABS, 2015.[10] |
| 8 |  | Aloba Arch | Chad, Ennedi-Ouest Region, Ennedi Plateau | 76.2 | 250 | Rank based on estimated span length only. Precise measurements have yet to be made according to NABS standards.[11] |
| 9 |  | Morning Glory Natural Bridge | United States, Utah, Grandstaff Canyon | 74.1 | 243 | Span measured by NABS, year not specified.[12] Morning Glory is a natural arch, not a natural bridge.[13] |
| 10 | external image | Gaotun Natural Bridge | China, Guizhou, Gaotun | 73.2 | 240 | Span measured by NABS, 2010.[14] |
| 11 |  | Rainbow Bridge | United States, Utah, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area | 71.3 | 234 | Span measured by NABS, 2007. Formerly considered the 3rd longest span in the world.[15] |
| 12 | external image | Great Arch of Getu | China, Guizhou, Getu Valley National Park | 70.1 | 230 | Span measured by NABS, 2013 and 2015.[16] |
| 13 |  | Sipapu Natural Bridge | United States, Utah, Natural Bridges National Monument | 68.6 | 225 | Span measured by NABS, 2007. Formerly considered the 4th longest span in the world.[17] |
| 14 |  | Stevens Arch | United States, Utah, Canyons of the Escalante | 67.1 | 220 | Rank based on estimated span length only. Precise measurements have yet to be made according to NABS standards.[18] |
| 15 |  | Shipton's Arch | China, Xinjiang, K'ashih | 65.2 | 214 | Discovered by Eric Shipton in 1947 and measured in 2000 by a National Geographic Society-sponsored expedition.[19] |
| 16 | external image | Yunmentum Natural Bridge | China, Guizhou, Zunyi | 64.9 | 213 | Span measured by NABS, 2013.[20] |
| 17 | external image | Hazarchishma Natural Bridge | Afghanistan, Bamyan Province, Jawzari Canyon | 64.3 | 211 | Discovered by the Wildlife Conservation Society in 2010.[21] WCS returned to measure the span according to NABS standards in 2011.[22] |
| 18 | external image | Outlaw Arch | United States, Colorado, Dinosaur National Monument | 62.8 | 206 | Discovered by rock climbers in 2006 who returned later in the same year to measure the span according to NABS standards.[23] |
| 19 |  | Snake Bridge | United States, New Mexico, Sanostee | 62.2 | 204 | Span measured by NABS, 1988. Arch is on land of the Navajo Nation and is not publicly accessible.[24] |
| 20 |  | Pont d'Arc | France, Ardèche département | 59 | 194 | Spans the river Ardèche near the town of Vallon-Pont-d'Arc.[25] |
| 21 | .jpg.webp) | Kachina Bridge | United States, Utah, Natural Bridges National Monument | 58.2 | 192 | Span measured by NABS, 2007. An earlier non-NABS estimate was 206 ft (62.8 m).[26] |
| 22 |  | Tianmen Shan | China, Hunan Province, Zhangjiajie | 55 | 180 | 130 m high. Span reported by NABS.[27] |
| 23 |  | Wrather Arch | United States, Arizona, Wrather Canyon | 54.9 | 180 | NABS states that the span cannot be more than 180 ft (54.9 m) based on a related measurement made in 2008, though the span has not yet been measured precisely according to NABS standards. An earlier non-NABS estimate was 246 ft (75.0 m).[28] |
References
- "The Natural Arch and Bridge Society: About Us". naturalarches.org. Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2017-03-12.
The Natural Arch and Bridge Society (NABS) is an all-volunteer non-profit organization promoting the study, appreciation, and preservation of natural arches and bridges.
- Wilbur, Jay H. "On Measuring Arches: Finding the Span of Arches with Simple Shapes". naturalarches.org. Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2017-03-12.
- Brandt-Erichsen, David; Wilbur, Jay (2015-10-01). "A tour of the Big 19: Photos and information on the world's giant natural arches". naturalarches.org. Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2017-03-10.
- "Fairy Bridge". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2017-03-12.
- "Zhijin Natural Bridge". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2017-03-12.
- "Measurement of Jiangzhou Immortal Bridge". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2017-03-12.
- "Dachuandong Arch". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2017-03-12.
- 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.
- "Qingxudong Arch". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2017-03-12.
- "Aloba Arch". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- "Morning Glory Natural Bridge". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- "Feature Detail Report for: Morning Glory Arch". geonames.usgs.gov. United States Geological Survey. February 25, 1989. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
- "Gaotun Natural Bridge". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2017-03-12.
- Wilbur, Jay. "The Dimensions of Rainbow Bridge". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- "The Great Arch of Getu". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2017-03-12.
- "Sipapu Natural Bridge". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- "Stevens Arch". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- "Tushuk Tash (Shipton's Arch)". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2016-07-01.
- "Yunmentum Natural Bridge". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2017-03-12.
- "Giant natural arch found in Afghanistan". Wildlife Conservation Society. Retrieved 2011-03-30.
- "Hazarchishma Natural Bridge". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2017-03-12.
- "Outlaw Arch". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- "Snake Bridge". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- Scheffel, Richard L.; Wernet, Susan J., eds. (1980). Natural Wonders of the World. United States of America: Reader's Digest Association, Inc. p. 299. ISBN 0-89577-087-3.
- "Kachina Natural Bridge". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2017-03-12.
- entry at naturalarches.org
- "Wrather Arch". Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
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