~ Top 10 Most Fascinating Natural Arches ~

[MysteRy]

Top 10 Most Fascinating Natural Arches

When you read this title you may have an idea of what this top 10 list is all about but to be more defined and clear, this list will make you aware of the most fascinating 10 natural arches in the world. A natural arch is a rock formation that is naturally occurring, which forms the shape of a half or semicircle. This is also referred to as a natural bridge. This formation of a natural arch is due to erosion of softer rock than the surface composition. These formations are commonly found in between cliff walls as the softer stone is washed away either from wind erosion or water flow. Many of them are carved out over hundreds or thousands of years and this list is going to make you aware of the most impressive in form and in number. Natural arches are quite a spectacle of Mother Nature and the natural evolution of the earth; you wont want to miss out on the opportunity to see them for yourself.


1. Durdle Door, United Kingdom



Durdle Door found within the United Kingdom is one of the countrys most ancient natural attractions, the naturally carved limestone arch is privately owned but it is open for the public to see. Since it is set on the sea you can easily spend the day swimming around the arch and even through it. The arch is found on the Jurassic, which is near Lulworth, it is one natural formation you will be glad you visited. The beach that surrounds the arch is accessible by the public and is perfect for sunbathing or picnicking while enjoying the sight of the giant arch and the waters are crystal clear, so you may want to bring some snorkeling gear to play see underwater around the bases of the arch. The name Durdle was actually derived from the old English word "thirl” which means "to drill”, throughout the years as the English language evolved so did the name of the arch. Finally it ended up with the name Durdle Door.

[MysteRy]

2. Delicate Arch, Arches National Park, Moab, Utah, USA



To find many of the United States natural arches all you have to do is go to the Arches National Park in Utah, which is home to around 2,000 natural rock formed arches. Over the last 40 years though 43 of the impressive arches have crumbled or fallen, showing that these natural arches will not be around forever. The park is also home to the "Delicate Arch” as it is referred to, which is the most famous of the 2,000 arches of the park. The Delicate Arch stands nearly 52 foot high and has been around for thousands of years growing wider and wider by the decade. Being that no new arches have been coming about since the parks opening in 1928, it was thought to coat some of the parks natural arches in plastic so to prevent further erosion, knowing that one day all of the arches found in the park will crash down from further erosion. Although this was thought of and discussed it was never put into effect.

[MysteRy]

3. London Arch, Australia



In Victoria, Australia within the Port Campbell National Park visitors can find the London Arch, a natural arch that like Durdle Door in the UK is found set a little of the coast in the sea, not so far that you cant swim to it though. The London Arch was once known as the London Bridge due to its close resemblance of the arch of the actual bridge in London but this name like Durdle Door it also had its name changed throughout its existence. The reason the name change came about though in the case of the London Arch is because there was once two arches that stood but due to the water erosion on of the arches fell and this is what brought about the name change. The park is one of the most prominent attractions in Victoria not just because of the London Arch but also because of the other curious rock formation found in the park grounds.

[MysteRy]

4. Elephant Trunk Hill, China



In China there is one arch that everyone should see at least once in their lives, it is known as Elephant Trunk Hill. The cave is also known as the water-moon cave because of its unique feature at night, where the moonlight reflect off of the water it sits in and gives it the look of a cave lit up with light. It is known as the Guilins most noted symbol, the city is where it is found. For the city it is a landmark and one of the citys most popular tourist attractions. The arch is rest on the Taohua River and is located where the Taohua and the Lijiang River meet. The reason the arch inherited its name is from the appearance it has, which for the ancients of the area it resembled a giant elephant with his trunk in the water taking a drink. The name carried on with it through its many years and will mostly likely stay that way in the future until it one day collapses as all the arches in this list will in the future.

[MysteRy]

5. Moon Hill, Yangshuo, China



Also in China in the southern province you will find one of the many arches of Yangshuo County of Guilin, the name of this massive arch is Moon Hill. This part of China has many of the countrys natural arches. This huge arch is one of the oldest in this list as it has been carved out over millions of years; it first started to take shape in the Jurassic period of earths history. It is the most famous arch in the province and its name has followed with it since it was first discovered hundreds of years ago. The ancient people who first named the arch named it so because it looks the form of a crescent moon. The thick limestone walls of the arch have turned the site into a haven for rock climbers and this is something that has drawn in re3creational climbers from around the world looking to dangle in the air in the middle of the arch. There are many good companies right in the province that will make sure you can safely enjoy a climb in the arch too.

[MysteRy]

6. The Azure Window, Malta



The Azure Window in Malta is one of Spains most recognized rock formations; in fact the formation of the natural bridge took place millions of years ago and has remained to this day. The natural arch is found on the island in Malta known as Gozo and it has become one the most popular places for tourists to the area to visit. Standing at 164 feet high the arch gives one of the most spectacular window-like views of the Mediterranean Sea. The Azure Window was formed due to the collapse of a limestone cave that once filed the whole of the rock formation. It is believed that this gem of a natural formation will not be around much longer and you should see it while you still have the chance. In recent years the roof of the arch has been wearing thin and large chunks have been falling, meaning that the estimated lifespan of the unique arch may only be years if even that long.

[MysteRy]

7. Pont dArc, France



Standing at 147 feet high and about 197 feet wide is the Pont dArc located in southern France, which has formed itself over a river. Years and years of constant water flow is what ate away at the giant limestone wall with the end result being this magnificent and massive natural bridge. To get to the cave it takes a short hike or you can opt to take a canoe downriver to get there as well. Many enjoy the journey to the arch itself because of all the great sites to see along the way to the arch. Many of the limestone rocks and cliffs along the path to the arch are home to prehistoric caves and prehistoric sites, so even as you go to see this monstrous natural arch you will fun seeing many of the other neat and exciting places along the way. Next time you are in France take the time to see it for yourself.

[MysteRy]

8. Arco Naturale, Capri, Italy



Just as it is named in Italian the Arco Naturale in Capri, Italy is a natural arc that has been a major attraction for many travelers through the years and it will likely continue to be until erosion wears it away or makes it collapse. The natural arch which is located on the east side of the island Capri has been in existence since the Paleolithic Era and was once a grotto but through the years of erosion the once grand grotto collapsed leaving only the arch that stands today. Just near the arch is a huge natural tavern that you will want to explore as well, during the Roman Period the tavern was elaborately decorated with glass paste for Romans to enjoy. In present times people enjoy cruising beneath the natural arch and also diving around the lags of it too, seeing all the marine life that surrounds the arches sea legs.

[MysteRy]

9. Perce Rock, Quebec, Canada



Perce Rock in Canada, hiding within Quebec is the countrys most well noted rock formation and it brings in tourists year round. The rock is very big and it is hard to miss in fact the arch itself is quite small but the rock that it is found cutting through is massive. The arch is among the biggest of the world but not because of its opening but again attributed to the overall size of the rock that it has carved through. Lets just say that you can see the formation for miles on a clear day and when you look at it from a distance you may think it is a small island or even a giant cruise ship. It is said that near the arch you will find one of the best places in the world to see humpback whales, so for all the whale lovers at heart, near Perce Rock there are plenty of opportunities to catch a glimpse of the giant marine creatures. Also the park that Perce Rock is found in has one of the largest bird sanctuaries in the area.

[MysteRy]

10. Rainbow Bridge National Monument, USA



The Rainbow Bridge National Monument in Utah is the worlds largest natural arch to this day and will likely remain so for several hundred years. It stands at a whopping height of over 290 feet with a seemingly endless with of 275 feet. The arch got its name for its almost perfect resemblance of a rainbow, of course it doesnt encompass all the colors of the rainbow but it is almost as curved as one. The Rainbow Bridge wasnt incorporated into the park it lies within until early in the 2th century this was mainly because of it remote location, the park later changed this though with the creation of a giant lake and now a short boat ride and hike will get you to the archs location. Although it was late that Americans first laid eyes on the massive natural formation the Native Indian population that once in habited the land knew of it for ages.