Landscape Arch facts for kids
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Landscape Arch is one of the longest natural rock arches in the world! You can find it in Arches National Park in Utah, United States. It's a truly amazing natural wonder, shaped by wind and water over millions of years.
Discovering Landscape Arch
Landscape Arch is located in a part of Arches National Park called Devils Garden. This area is famous for having many incredible rock arches.
A man named Frank Beckwith gave the arch its name. He was the leader of a scientific trip to Arches National Monument (which later became a National Park) in the winter of 1933–1934.
Visiting the Arch
You can reach Landscape Arch by walking on a gravel trail. The path is about 0.8 mi (1.3 km) long. It's a great way to see this giant arch up close!
How Big is Landscape Arch?
The Natural Arch and Bridge Society (NABS) keeps track of the sizes of natural arches around the world. They believe Landscape Arch is the fifth longest natural arch on Earth. The four arches longer than it are all found in China.
In 2004, experts measured Landscape Arch. Its span, which is the distance across the opening, was about 290.1 feet (88.4 m). That's almost as long as a football field!
For comparison, another famous arch, Kolob Arch, in Zion National Park, was measured by NABS in 2006. It was slightly shorter, at about 287 feet (87 m) long.
Changes Over Time
Like all natural arches, Landscape Arch is slowly changing. In the 1990s, some pieces of rock fell from the arch. A large slab fell in 1991, and then two more big rockfalls happened in 1995.
Because of these rockfalls, the trail that used to go directly underneath the arch had to be closed for safety. This helps keep visitors safe while still allowing them to admire the arch from a short distance.
