List of longest natural arches

{{Short description|none}} This '''list of longest natural arches''' ranks the world's [[natural arch]]es by the length of their span as defined and measured by the [[Natural Arch and Bridge Society]] (NABS).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalarches.org/nabs.htm|title=The Natural Arch and Bridge Society: About Us|accessdate=2017-03-12|website=naturalarches.org|publisher=Natural Arch and Bridge Society|quote=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.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalarches.org/archinfo/measurement.htm|title=On Measuring Arches: Finding the Span of Arches with Simple Shapes|accessdate=2017-03-12|website=naturalarches.org|publisher=Natural Arch and Bridge Society|first=Jay H.|last=Wilbur}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalarches.org/big9.htm|title=A tour of the Big 19: Photos and information on the world's giant natural arches|date=2015-10-01|accessdate=2017-03-10|website=naturalarches.org|publisher=Natural Arch and Bridge Society|first=David|last=Brandt-Erichsen|first2=Jay|last2=Wilbur}}</ref>

==Longest natural arches== All known natural arches with span lengths of {{convert|180|ft|m|sigfig=3|abbr=on}} or greater are included in the list. Sort by clicking on column headings, excepting only the ''Image'' and ''Notes'' columns.

{| class="wikitable sortable" ! align="left"|Rank !! class="unsortable"|Image !! align="left"|Name !! align="left"|{{Abbr|Location|Country, state/province/region/territory, nearest city/town or park/river/canyon}} !! align="center"|Span ([[meter|m]]) !! align="center"|Span ([[Foot (unit of length)|ft]]) !! class="unsortable"|Notes |- | 1 ||||| [[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 ±{{convert|15|ft|m|sigfig=3|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalarches.org/big-FairyBridge.htm|title=Fairy Bridge|accessdate=2017-03-12|publisher=Natural Arch and Bridge Society}}</ref> |- | 2 || || [[Zhijin Natural Bridge]] || China, [[Guizhou]], [[Zhijin Cave]] Scenic Area || 103.6 || 340 || Span measured by NABS, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalarches.org/big-zhijin.htm|title=Zhijin Natural Bridge|accessdate=2017-03-12|publisher=Natural Arch and Bridge Society}}</ref> |- | 3 || [[File:Jiangzhou Natural Bridge.jpg|110px|center]] || [[Fengshan_County#Jiangzhou_Natural_Bridge|Jiangzhou Natural Bridge]] || China, Guangxi, Jiangzhou || 94.5 || 310 || Span measured by NABS, 2010. Estimates range from {{convert|280|ft|m|sigfig=4|abbr=on}} to {{convert|340|ft|m|sigfig=4|abbr=on}}, so the midpoint is listed, ±{{convert|36|ft|m|sigfig=3|abbr=on}} which includes a ±{{convert|6|ft|m|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} accuracy above/below the higher/lower estimate. Jiangzhou ranks somewhere between 2nd and 6th position based on current estimates.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalarches.org/big-JiangzhouMeasurement.htm|title=Measurement of Jiangzhou Immortal Bridge|accessdate=2017-03-12|publisher=Natural Arch and Bridge Society}}</ref> |- | 4 || align="center"|[http://www.naturalarches.org/big9_files/dachuandong1680.jpg external image] || [[Dachuandong Arch]] || China, Guizhou, Si Lian || 91.4 || 300 || Span measured by NABS, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalarches.org/big-dachuandong.htm|title=Dachuandong Arch|accessdate=2017-03-12|publisher=Natural Arch and Bridge Society}}</ref> |- | 5 || [[File:Landscape Arch Utah (crop).jpg|150px|center]] || [[Landscape Arch]] || United States, [[Utah]], [[Arches National Park]] || 88.4 || 290 || Span measured by NABS, 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalarches.org/archinfo/landscape.htm|title=The Dimensions of Landscape Arch: Removing the Uncertainty|accessdate=2008-05-19|last=Wilbur|first=Jay|publisher=Natural Arch and Bridge Society}}</ref> |- | 6 || [[File:Kolob Arch 3a.jpg|150px|center]] || [[Kolob Arch]] || United States, Utah, [[Zion National Park]] || 87.5 || 287 || Span measured by NABS, 2006. Formerly considered longer than Landscape Arch.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalarches.org/archinfo/kolob.htm|title=The Dimensions of Kolob Arch|accessdate=2008-05-19|last=Wilbur|first=Jay|publisher=Natural Arch and Bridge Society}}</ref> |- | 7 || align="center"|[http://www.naturalarches.org/big9_files/qingxudong1680.jpg external image] || [[Qingxudong Arch]] || China, Guizhou, Dafang || 76.5 || 251 || Span measured by NABS, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalarches.org/big-qingxudong.htm|title=Qingxudong Arch|accessdate=2017-03-12|publisher=Natural Arch and Bridge Society}}</ref> |- | 8 || [[File:Aloba T15b 5831b Stefan Kroepelin.JPG|110px|center]] || [[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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalarches.org/big10-5.htm|title=Aloba Arch|accessdate=2008-05-19|publisher=Natural Arch and Bridge Society}}</ref> |- | 9 || [[File:Morning Glory Natural Bridge.JPG|150px|center]] || [[Morning Glory Natural Bridge]] || United States, Utah, [[Grandstaff Canyon]] || 74.1 || 243 || Span measured by NABS, year not specified.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalarches.org/big9-6.htm|title=Morning Glory Natural Bridge|accessdate=2008-05-19|publisher=Natural Arch and Bridge Society}}</ref> Morning Glory is a natural arch, not a natural bridge.<ref>[https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:1435990 "Feature Detail Report for: Morning Glory Arch"]. ''geonames.usgs.gov''. [[United States Geological Survey]]. February 25, 1989. Retrieved November 28, 2017.</ref> |- | 10 || align="center"|[http://www.naturalarches.org/big9_files/Gaotun1680.jpg external image] || [[Gaotun Natural Bridge]] || China, Guizhou, Gaotun || 73.2 || 240 || Span measured by NABS, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalarches.org/big-Gaotun.htm|title=Gaotun Natural Bridge|accessdate=2017-03-12|publisher=Natural Arch and Bridge Society}}</ref> |- | 11 || [[File:Utah Rainbow Arch.jpg|150px|center]] || [[Rainbow Bridge National Monument|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalarches.org/archinfo/rainbow.htm|title=The Dimensions of Rainbow Bridge|accessdate=2008-05-19|last=Wilbur|first=Jay|publisher=Natural Arch and Bridge Society}}</ref> |- | 12 || align="center"|[http://www.naturalarches.org/big9_files/Getu1680.jpg external image] || [[Great Arch of Getu]] || China, Guizhou, Getu Valley National Park || 70.1 || 230 || Span measured by NABS, 2013 and 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalarches.org/big-getuhe.htm|title=The Great Arch of Getu|accessdate=2017-03-12|publisher=Natural Arch and Bridge Society}}</ref> |- | 13 || [[File:sipapu bridge.752.jpg|150px|center]] || [[Sipapu Bridge|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalarches.org/big9-4.htm|title=Sipapu Natural Bridge|accessdate=2008-05-19|publisher=Natural Arch and Bridge Society}}</ref> |- | 14 || [[File:StevensArchUT.jpg|150px|center]] || [[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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalarches.org/big9-7.htm|title=Stevens Arch|accessdate=2008-05-19|publisher=Natural Arch and Bridge Society}}</ref> |- | 15 || [[File:ShiptonsArchHDR.jpg|110px|center]] || [[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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalarches.org/gallery-China-TushukTash.htm|title=Tushuk Tash (Shipton's Arch)|accessdate=2016-07-01|publisher=Natural Arch and Bridge Society}}</ref> |- | 16 || align="center"|[http://www.naturalarches.org/big9_files/Yunmentum1680.jpg external image] || [[Yunmentum Natural Bridge]] || China, Guizhou, Zunyi || 64.9 || 213 || Span measured by NABS, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalarches.org/big-yunmentum.htm|title=Yunmentum Natural Bridge|accessdate=2017-03-12|publisher=Natural Arch and Bridge Society}}</ref> |- | 17 || align="center"|[http://www.naturalarches.org/big9_files/Hazarchishma2-1680.jpg external image] || [[Hazarchishma Natural Bridge]] || Afghanistan, [[Bamyan Province]], Jawzari Canyon || 64.3 || 211 || Discovered by the [[Wildlife Conservation Society]] in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2011/03/30/Giant-natural-arch-found-in-Afghanistan/UPI-32651301532860/|title=Giant natural arch found in Afghanistan|accessdate=2011-03-30|publisher=Wildlife Conservation Society}}</ref> WCS returned to measure the span according to NABS standards in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalarches.org/big-Hazarchishma.htm|title=Hazarchishma Natural Bridge|accessdate=2017-03-12|publisher=Natural Arch and Bridge Society}}</ref> |- | 18 || align="center"|[http://www.naturalarches.org/big9_files/outlaw1.jpg 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalarches.org/big11-9.htm|title=Outlaw Arch|accessdate=2008-05-19|publisher=Natural Arch and Bridge Society}}</ref> |- | 19 || [[File:Snake Bridge.jpg|110px|center]] || [[Snake Bridge]] || United States, [[New Mexico]], [[Sanostee, New Mexico|Sanostee]] || 62.2 || 204 || Span measured by NABS, 1988. Arch is on land of the [[Navajo Nation]] and is not publicly accessible.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalarches.org/big9-9.htm|title=Snake Bridge|accessdate=2008-05-19|publisher=Natural Arch and Bridge Society}}</ref> |- | 20 || [[File:Pont d'Arc arch.JPG|thumb|150px|center]] || [[Pont d'Arc]] || [[France]], [[Ardèche]] ''[[departments of France|département]]'' || 59 || 194 || Spans the river [[Ardèche (river)|Ardèche]] near the town of [[Vallon-Pont-d'Arc]].<ref name="readersnatural">{{Cite book|title=Natural Wonders of the World|publisher=Reader's Digest Association, Inc|year=1980|isbn=0-89577-087-3|editor-last=Scheffel|editor-first=Richard L.|location=United States of America|pages=299|editor-last2=Wernet|editor-first2=Susan J.}}</ref> |- | 21 || [[File:Kachina Bridge (9474796110).jpg|150px|center]] || [[Kachina Bridge]] || United States, Utah, Natural Bridges National Monument || 58.2 || 192 || Span measured by NABS, 2007. An earlier non-NABS estimate was {{convert|206|ft|m|sigfig=3|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalarches.org/gallery-UTkachina.htm|title=Kachina Natural Bridge|accessdate=2017-03-12|publisher=Natural Arch and Bridge Society}}</ref> |- | 22 || [[File:Tian Menshan Mountain 5.jpg|150px|center]] || [[Tianmen Mountain|Tianmen Shan]] || China, Hunan Province, Zhangjiajie || 55 || 180 || 130 m high. Span reported by NABS.<ref>[https://www.naturalarches.org/db/arches/china02.htm entry at naturalarches.org]</ref> |- | 23 || [[File:Verm wrather arch.jpg|150px|center]] || [[Wrather Arch]] || United States, [[Arizona]], [[Wrather Canyon]] || 54.9 || 180 || NABS states that the span cannot be more than {{convert|180|ft|m|sigfig=3|abbr=on}} 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 {{convert|246|ft|m|sigfig=3|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalarches.org/big9-5.htm|title=Wrather Arch|accessdate=2008-05-19|publisher=Natural Arch and Bridge Society}}</ref> |}

==See also== * [[List of individual rocks]]

==References== {{reflist|30em}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:List Of Longest Natural Arches}} [[Category:Lists by length|Arches]] [[Category:Natural arches|*]] [[Category:Geography-related lists of superlatives|Arches]] [[Category:Longest things|Arches, natural]]