Natural Arch is one of several natural arches in Bryce Canyon National Park. It spans c85’/30m.
It has been formed by water in the crock expanding as they turne to ice, weakening the rock. This is known as ‘frost wedging’. Then rainwater, disolved the top and sides of this wall of rock chemically (‘dissolution’). Finally gravity pulled the weakened pockets of rock at the center loose, creating a hole.
In this area the Claron Formation – a sedimentary layering of mainly sandstone and limestone – is rich in iron oxides, which contributes to its red/pink colour. The variation in colour depends on the layering, whether formed of mud, rock or silts and the amount of iron oxides present.
Bryce Canyon’s ‘bridges’, arches and ‘hoodoos’ of Bryce Canon may be destroyed at any moment, as the erosive forces of nature continue to wear away the rock.
Through and beyond the arch can be seen part of the Ponderosa Pine forest, whose dark green is a visual contrast with the rocks.
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My photo of Natural Arch, Bryce Canyon is also available to license as a stock photo from iStock.
