Editing Natural arch

{{Short description|Arch-shaped natural rock formation}}
{{Redirect2|Natural bridge|Natural bridges|other uses|Natural Bridge (disambiguation){{!}}Natural Bridge}}
[[File:Delicate Arch LaSalle.jpg|upright=1.35|thumb|[[Delicate Arch]] in [[Arches National Park]], [[Utah]], United States]]
[[File:The Great Arch Saudi Arabia.jpg|thumb|The Great Arch, Tabuk Province, Saudi Arabia]]
A '''natural arch''', '''natural bridge''', or (less commonly) '''rock arch''' is a natural [[landform]] where an [[arch]] has formed with an opening underneath. Natural arches commonly form where inland [[cliff]]s, [[Cliffed coast|coastal cliffs]], [[Fin (geology)|fins]] or [[Stack (geology)|stacks]] are subject to erosion from the sea, rivers or [[weathering]] ([[subaerial]] processes).

Most natural arches are formed from narrow fins and sea stacks composed of [[sandstone]] or [[limestone]] with steep, often vertical, cliff faces. The formations become narrower due to [[erosion]] over [[geologic time scale]]s. The softer rock [[stratum]] erodes away creating [[rock shelter]]s, or alcoves, on opposite sides of the formation beneath the relatively harder stratum, or [[caprock]], above it. The alcoves erode further into the formation eventually meeting underneath the harder caprock layer, thus creating an arch. The erosional processes exploit weaknesses in the softer rock layers making cracks larger and removing material more quickly than the caprock; however, the caprock itself continues to erode after an arch has formed, which will ultimately lead to collapse.

The choice between ''bridge'' and ''arch'' is somewhat arbitrary. The Natural Arch and Bridge Society identifies a bridge as a subtype of arch that is primarily water-formed.<ref>[http://www.naturalarches.org/archinfo/faq.htm Natural Arch and Bridge Society] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831165749/http://www.naturalarches.org/archinfo/faq.htm |date=August 31, 2009 }}, FAQ.</ref> By contrast, the ''Dictionary of Geological Terms'' defines a natural bridge as a "natural arch that spans a valley of erosion."<ref>American Geological Institute, ''Dictionary of Geological Terms'', 1976, Doubleday Anchor</ref>

The largest natural arch, by a significant margin, is the [[Xianren Bridge]] in China, with a span of {{convert|400|±|15|ft|m|0|sp=us|order=flip}}.<ref>[http://www.naturalarches.org/big-FairyBridge.htm Big 14 Tour - Fairy Bridge] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420191440/http://naturalarches.org/big-FairyBridge.htm |date=April 20, 2017 }}, The Natural Arch and Bridge Society</ref>

==Coastline==
[[File:Malta Gozo, Azure Window (10264176345).jpg|thumb|left|The [[Azure Window]], [[Malta]], before it collapsed in 2017]]
[[File:Darwinarch.jpg |thumb|left|[[Darwin's Arch]], [[Galápagos Islands]], [[Ecuador]], before it collapsed in 2021]]
On coasts two different types of arches can form depending on the geology. On [[discordant coastline]]s rock types run at 90° to the coast. [[wave|Wave refraction]] concentrates the wave energy on the headland, and an arch forms when [[cave]]s break through the headland. Two examples of this type of arch are [[London Bridge (Victoria)|London Bridge]] in [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], Australia, and [[Neill Island]] in the [[Andaman Islands]], India. When these arches eventually collapse, they form [[Stack (geology)|stacks]] and stumps. On [[concordant coastline]]s rock types run parallel to the coastline, with weak rock such as [[shale]] protected by stronger rock such as [[limestone]]. The wave action along concordant coastlines breaks through the strong rock and then erodes the weak rock very quickly. Good examples of this type of arch are the [[Durdle Door]] and [[Stair Hole]] near [[Lulworth Cove]] on [[Dorset]]'s [[Jurassic Coast]] in south England. When Stair Hole eventually collapses it will form a [[cove]].

==Weather-eroded arches==
[[File:Metate Arch, Devils Garden, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah, USA.jpg|left|thumb|Metate Arch, [[Devils Garden (Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument)|Devils Garden (GSENM)]], a very thin arch near the end of its life]]
Weather-eroded arches begin their formation as deep cracks which penetrate into a sandstone layer. Erosion occurring within the cracks wears away exposed rock layers and enlarges the surface cracks isolating narrow sandstone walls which are called fins. Alternating frosts and thawing cause crumbling and flaking of the porous sandstone and eventually cut through some of the fins. The resulting holes become enlarged to arch proportions by rockfalls and weathering. The arches eventually collapse leaving only buttresses that in time will erode.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nature.nps.gov/geology/parks/arch/ |title=Geology Resources, Arches National Park |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=December 23, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223190124/http://www.nature.nps.gov/geology/parks/arch/ |archive-date=December 23, 2015 }}</ref>

Many weather-eroded arches are found in [[Arches National Park]], [[Canyonlands National Park]], and [[Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument]] (GSENM), all located in southern Utah, United States.
{{wide image|Hoodoo formation-Big.jpg|600px|Progressive erosion producing plateau, fin, window (or arch), and hoodoos}}

==Water-eroded arches==
[[File:Coyote Natural Bridge map.jpg|thumb|A [[topographic map]] of Coyote Natural Bridge in Utah shows how the [[meander]]ing [[Coyote Gulch]] carved a shorter route through the rock under the arch. The old riverbed is now higher than the present water level.]]
Some natural bridges may look like arches, but they form in the path of streams that wear away and penetrate the rock. Pothole arches form by chemical weathering as water collects in natural depressions and eventually cuts through to the layer below.

[[Natural Bridges National Monument]] in Utah protects the area surrounding three large natural bridges, all of which were formed by streams running through canyons, the largest of which is named [[Sipapu Bridge]] with a span of {{convert|225|ft|m|sp=us}}. The [[Rainbow Bridge National Monument]]'s namesake was also formed by flowing water which created the largest known natural bridge in the [[Western Hemisphere]] with a span of {{convert|234|ft|m}}, based on a laser measurement made in 2007. [[Xianren Bridge]], also known as Fairy Bridge, in [[Guangxi]], China is currently the world's largest known natural bridge with a span recorded at {{convert|400|ft|m|sp=us}} by the ''Natural Arch and Bridge Society'' in October 2010, with a precision of ±{{convert|15|ft|m|sp=us}}.<ref>Jett, Stephen C.[http://www.naturalarches.org/china/journal.html#fairybridge China Diary] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131229025325/http://www.naturalarches.org/china/journal.html |date=December 29, 2013 }}, The Natural Arch and Bridge Society</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalarches.org/big-FairyBridgeMeasurement.htm|title=Big 17 Tour - Measurement of Fairy Bridge|website=www.naturalarches.org|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112172533/http://www.naturalarches.org/big-FairyBridgeMeasurement.htm|archive-date=November 12, 2013}}</ref>

==Cave erosion==
[[File:London Bridge before collapse.jpg |thumb| [[London Bridge (Victoria)|London Bridge]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], Australia, before its partial collapse in 1990]]
Natural bridges can form from natural [[limestone]] [[cave]]s, where paired [[sinkhole]]s collapse and a ridge of stone is left standing in between, with the cave passageway connecting from sinkhole to sinkhole.

Like all rock formations, natural bridges are subject to continued erosion, and will eventually collapse and disappear.  One example of this was the double-arched [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]]n coastal rock formation, [[London Bridge (Victoria)|London Bridge]], which lost an arch after storms increased erosion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Oceania/Australia/photo206866.htm|title=Port Campbell|website=www.trekearth.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908102543/http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Oceania/Australia/photo206866.htm|archive-date=September 8, 2008}}</ref>

[[Moon Hill]] in [[Yangshuo]], [[Guizhou Province]], China, is an example of an arch formed by the remnant of a [[karst]] limestone cave.

==Arches as highway or railway bridges==
[[File:Natural Bridge State Park (31044316221).jpg|thumb|[[Natural Bridge (Virginia)|Natural Bridge]], [[Virginia]]]]
In a few places in the world, natural arches are utilized by humans as transportation bridges with highways or railroads running across them.

In Virginia, [[US Route 11]] traverses [[Natural Bridge (Virginia)|Natural Bridge]]. Two additional natural arch roadways are found in [[Kentucky]]. The first, a cave erosion arch made of limestone, is in [[Carter Caves State Resort Park]] and has a paved road on top.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://parks.ky.gov/parks/resortparks/carter-caves/trails.aspx?id=105 |title=Natural Bridge Trail: Carter Caves State Resort Park |publisher=Kentucky State Parks |access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref> The second, a weather-eroded sandstone arch with a dirt road on top, is on the edge of [[Natural Bridge State Park (Kentucky)|Natural Bridge State Park]] in Kentucky. The latter arch is called White's Branch Arch (also known as the Narrows) and the road going over it is usually referred to as the Narrows Road.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}

In Europe, the [[Romania]]n village of [[Ponoarele]] has a road segment called God's Bridge that is {{cvt|30|m}} long and {{cvt|13|m}} wide, passing over a stone arch {{cvt|22|m}} high and {{cvt|9|m}} thick.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.romaniajournal.ro/travel/gods-bridge-the-natural-bridge-of-mehedinti-romania/ |title='God's Bridge', the Natural Bridge of Mehedinti, Romania |first=Ramona |last=Ciortescu |date=December 10, 2014 |publisher=Romania Journal |access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref>

The railroad from [[Lima]], [[Peru]] crosses the Rio Yauli on a natural bridge near kilometer 214.2 as it approaches the city of [[La Oroya]].{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}

== Notable natural arches ==
===Africa===
[[File:TadrartRouge3.jpg|thumb| Natural arches in the La Cathedrale formation of [[Tadrart Rouge]] range, Algeria]]
[[File:Hole In The Wall.jpg|thumb| Hole-in-the-Wall]]
* [[Aloba Arch]], [[Chad]]
* [[ Acacus Tedrart Arch]], [[ Libya]]
* [[Boatswain Bird Island]], [[Ascension Island]]
* [[Bogenfels]], [[Namibia]]
* [[Goedehoop natural rock bridge]], [[South Africa]]
* [[Hole-in-the-Wall (Eastern Cape)|Hole-in-the-Wall]], [[Eastern Cape]], South Africa
* [[Tassili n'Ajjer]] and [[Tadrart Rouge]], two mountain ranges with many arches, [[Algeria]]
* [[Tukuyu]] natural bridge, [[Tanzania]]
* Wolfberg Arch, [[Cederberg]], [[Western Cape]], South Africa

===Antarctica===
* The [[Kerguelen Arch]], Christmas Harbour, the [[Kerguelen Islands]] (collapsed ca. 1910)<ref>{{cite web |first= |title=Kerguelen Islands, French Southern and Antarctic Lands (Part 1) - Iles Kerguelen, TAAF |url=http://www.discoverfrance.net/Colonies/Kerguelen.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117194429/http://www.discoverfrance.net/Colonies/Kerguelen.shtml |archive-date=January 17, 2012 |website=www.discoverfrance.net}}</ref>
* [[Scott Island]] in the [[Antarctic]] has a natural arch

===Asia===
[[File:Natural stone arch in tirumala.JPG|thumb|[[Natural Arch, Tirumala hills|Natural Arch]], [[Tirumala]], India]]
[[File:Arches in Timna Park in summer 2011 (7).JPG|thumb|Arch in [[Timna Valley]] Park, [[Negev]] Desert, Israel]]

* [[Keshet Cave]], [[Galilee]], [[Israel]]
* Burdah Bridge, [[Wadi Rum]], [[Jordan]]
* [[Baatara gorge waterfall]] in [[Tannourine]], [[Lebanon]] has three natural bridges. 
* [[Engetsu Island]], [[Shirahama, Wakayama]], [[Japan]]
* Hawrah Natural Bridge, [[Neill Island]], [[Andaman Islands]], India
* [[Hazarchishma Natural Bridge]], [[Bamyan Province]], [[Afghanistan]]
* [[Jabal Umm Fruth Bridge]], Jordan
* Jebel Kharaz, [[Wadi Rum]], Jordan
* "Jisr al-Hajar" or the "Stone Bridge" in [[Mzaar Kfardebian]], Lebanon
* [[Elephant Trunk Hill]], [[Guilin]], [[Guangxi]] province, [[China]]
* [[Moon Hill]], [[Guangxi]] province, China
* [[Natural Arch, Tirumala hills]], [[Tirumala]], [[India]]
* [[Banton, Romblon|Pasilagon Point Natural Arch]], [[Banton, Romblon|Banton]], [[Romblon (province)|Romblon]], [[Philippines]]
* The Pigeons' Rock known as [[Raouché]] in [[Beirut]], Lebanon
* [[Punarjani Guha]], natural tunnel in [[Thrissur district]] of Kerala, India
* Rock Bridge of Gulanchwadi, [[Narayangaon]], [[Maharashtra]], India<ref>Offbeat Tracks in Maharashtra - A Travel Guide - Book by [[Milind Gunaji]] {{ISBN|81-7154-669-2}}</ref>
* [[Shipton's Arch]], [[Xinjiang]], China
* Steller's Arch on [[Bering Island]], Russia
* [[Tianmen Mountain]], [[Zhangjiajie]], China
* [[Xianren Bridge]], China
* The Great White Hole of Krabi, [[Krabi Province|Krabi]], [[Thailand]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalarches.org/gallery-Thailand-WhiteHole.htm|title=Gallery - Thailand - White Hole|website=www.naturalarches.org|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170304194543/http://www.naturalarches.org/gallery-Thailand-WhiteHole.htm|archive-date=March 4, 2017}}</ref>
* Mountain Angel Eye, [[Cao Bằng Province|Cao Bằng]], [[Vietnam]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://caobangtourism.vn/en/matthannuicbg | title=Mountain Angel Eye }}</ref>
* The Great Arch, Hizma, Tabuk Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

===Europe===
[[File:Praia da Marinha (2012-09-27), by Klugschnacker in Wikipedia (31).JPG|thumb|The arches at [[Praia da Marinha|Marinha Beach]], Caramujeira, [[Lagoa, Algarve]], Portugal]]
[[File:Es pontas 2.jpg|thumb|[[Es Pontàs]] is a natural arch on the coast of [[Mallorca]], Spain]]
[[File:Durdle Door Dorset Sunset.jpg|thumb|[[Durdle Door]], Dorset, the United Kingdom]]
[[File:Мала прераст у нањону Вратне.jpg|thumb|[[Vratna Gates|Little Prerast]] in eastern [[Serbia]]]]

* Albandeira Arch, [[Lagoa, Algarve]], [[Portugal]]
* [[Arco Naturale]], [[Capri]], [[Italy]]
* [[As Catedrais beach]], [[Ribadeo]], [[Spain]]
* [[Azure Window]], [[Gozo]], [[Malta]]<ref name="ianellis">{{cite book|editor=Ian Ellis|date=2011|title=Richard Ellis - The Photography Collection: Malta & Gozo|url=http://www.bdlbooks.com/art-photography/3645-richard-ellis-the-photography-collection.html|volume=4|page=100|isbn=978-99957-33-29-2|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430143449/http://www.bdlbooks.com/art-photography/3645-richard-ellis-the-photography-collection.html|archive-date=April 30, 2016}}</ref> (collapsed in 2017)
* [[Gulf of Corinth|Blue Window]] or the Seal cave of the [[Gulf of Corinth|Corinthian Gulf]], in the front of the [[Alcyonides]] islands, [[Greece]]
* [[Bow Fiddle Rock]], [[Portknockie]], [[Scotland]]
* [[Capu Tafunatu]], [[France]]
* [[Chaos de Montpellier-le-Vieux]], France
* [[Devil's Gate (Crimea)]]
* [[Drangarnir]], Faroe Islands
* [[Durdle Door]], [[Dorset]], [[England]]
* [[Dyrhólaey]], [[Iceland]]
* [[Els Arcs]], [[Castell de Castells]], Spain 
* [[Es Pontàs]], Spain
* [[Étretat]], France
* [[Geropotamos]] bridge, [[Crete]], [[Greece]]
* [[Għar Qawqla]], [[Gozo]], [[Malta]] (collapsed in the 20th century)
* [[Green Bridge of Wales]], [[Pembrokeshire]], [[Wales]]
* [[Hajdučka vrata]], [[Čvrsnica]] mountain, [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]]
* [[Inland Sea, Gozo]], Malta<ref name="ianellis"/>
* [[Kuhstall (Saxon Switzerland)|Kuhstall]], [[Germany]]
* [[Skiathos|Lalaria beach arch]], [[Skiathos]] Island, [[Greece]]
* [[Malá Pravčická brána]], [[Czech Republic]]
* [[Praia da Marinha|Marinha Beach]], Caramujeira, [[Lagoa, Algarve]], [[Portugal]]
* [[Marsden Rock]], [[South Shields]], [[England]] (collapsed in 1996)
* [[Marvelous Bridges]], [[Bulgaria]]
* [[Monte Forato]], [[Tuscany]], [[Italy]]
* [[Ófærufoss]], Iceland (collapsed in winter 1992/1993)
* [[Pistyll Rhaeadr]], Wales
* [[Ponoarele]], [[Romania]] (Podul lui Dumnezeu, or God's Bridge)
* [[Pont d'Arc]], France
* [[Pravčická brána]], Czech Republic
* Puentedey, Spain (Puentedei, or God's Bridge)<ref>{{cite web|author=The Natural Arch and Bridge Society|url=https://www.naturalarches.org/gallery-Spain-Puentedei.htm|title=Puentedei}}</ref>
* [[Paxi|Trypitòs Arch]] of [[Paxi]] Island, [[Greece]]
* [[Samar Natural Arch]], [[Serbia]]
* [[Šuplja Stena Natural Arch]], Serbia
* [[Tour Percée]], France
* [[Wied il-Mielaħ Window]], Gozo, Malta<ref name="ianellis"/>
* [[Vratna Gates]], Serbia

===North America===
====Canada====
[[File:QC Gaspesie RocherPerce tango7174.jpg|thumb|[[Percé Rock]], [[Quebec]], Canada]]

* [[Percé Rock]], [[Quebec]]

====Caribbean====
* [[Aruba Natural Bridge|Natural Bridge]], [[Aruba]] (collapsed in 2005)

====Mexico====
[[File:CaboSanLucasLandsEnd.JPG|thumb|The [[Arch of Cabo San Lucas]], Mexico]]

* [[Arch of Cabo San Lucas|El Arco de Cabo San Lucas]], [[Baja California Sur]]

====United States====
{{See also|Arches National Park}}

[[File:Hawaii Volcanoes National Park 02.jpg|thumb|[[Holei Sea Arch]], [[Hawaii Volcanoes National Park]], [[Hawaii]], United States]]
[[File:Landscape Arch Utah.jpg|thumb|[[Landscape Arch]], [[Utah]], United States – one of the [[List of longest natural arches|longest natural arches]] in the world<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.naturalarches.org/big9.htm |title=The Worlds Longest Natural Spans |website=www.naturalarches.org |publisher=Natural Arch and Bridge Society |access-date=January 10, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225013414/http://www.naturalarches.org/big9.htm |archive-date=December 25, 2016 }}</ref>]]
[[File:Utah Rainbow Arch.jpg|thumb|[[Rainbow Bridge National Monument|Rainbow Bridge]], Utah, a natural bridge formed by a meandering watercourse]]

* [[Anacapa Island]], [[Channel Islands National Park]], [[California]]
* [[Angel Arch]], [[Utah]]
* [[Arch Creek, Florida|Arch Creek]], [[Florida]]
* [[Arch Rock (Mackinac Island)|Arch Rock]], [[Michigan]]
* [[Ayres Natural Bridge Park]], [[Wyoming]]
* [[Bell Smith Springs]], [[Illinois]]
* [[Blackwater Natural Bridge]], Wyoming
* [[Bryce Canyon National Park]], [[Utah]]
* [[Corona Arch]], Utah
* [[Creelsboro Natural Bridge]], [[Kentucky]]
* [[Delicate Arch]], Utah
* [[Devil's Doorway (Wisconsin)]]
* [[Druid Arch]], Utah
* [[Eye of the Needle (Montana)|Eye of the Needle]], [[Montana]]
* [[Goat Rock Beach]], California
* [[Grosvenor Arch]], Utah
* [[Holei Sea Arch]], [[Hawaii Volcanoes National Park]], [[Hawaii]]
* [[Honopū Valley|Honopū Arch]], Hawaii
* [[Hickman Bridge]], Utah
* Koger Arch, Kentucky<ref>[http://www.naturalarches.org/gallery-KY-Koger.htm "Koger Arch, Kentucky"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420191107/http://naturalarches.org/gallery-KY-Koger.htm |date=April 20, 2017 }}. ''naturalarches.org''. The Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved November 6, 2017.</ref>
* [[Kolob Arch]], [[Zion National Park]], Utah
* [[Landscape Arch]], Utah
* [[La Ventana Natural Arch]], New Mexico 
* [[Mesa Arch]], Utah
* [[Mobius Arch]], [[California]]
* Natural Arch, Kentucky<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kspg.org/pages/iarch.html |title=Natural Arch |publisher=Kentucky Society of Professional Geologists |access-date=December 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223190401/http://www.kspg.org/pages/iarch.html |archive-date=December 23, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[http://www.naturalarches.org/span-9507-cover-KY.htm "Natural Arch of Kentucky"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419161944/http://naturalarches.org/span-9507-cover-KY.htm |date=April 19, 2017 }}. ''naturalarches.org''. The Natural Arch and Bridge Society. Retrieved November 6, 2017.</ref>
* [[Natural Bridge (Virginia)|Natural Bridge]], [[Virginia]]
* [[Natural Bridge Caverns]], [[Texas]]
*Natural Bridge of [[Arkansas]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Natural Bridge|url=https://www.arkansas.com/clinton/outdoors-nature/natural-bridge|access-date=2020-11-24|website=Arkansas.com}}</ref>
* [[Natural Bridge Park]], [[Alabama]]
* [[Natural Bridge State Resort Park|Natural Bridge State Park]], Kentucky
* [[Natural Bridge State Park (Massachusetts)|Natural Bridge State Park]], [[Massachusetts]]
* [[Natural Bridge State Park (Wisconsin)|Natural Bridge State Park]], [[Wisconsin]]
* [[Natural Bridges National Monument]], Utah
* [[Natural Bridges State Beach]], California
* [[Rainbow Bridge National Monument]], Utah
* [[Rattlesnake Canyon (Colorado)|Rattlesnake Canyon]], [[Colorado]]
* [[Rialto Beach]], [[Olympic National Park]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
* [[Rock Bridge Memorial State Park]], [[Missouri]]
* [[Rockbridge State Nature Preserve]], [[Ohio]]
* [[Sewanee Natural Bridge]], [[Tennessee]]
* [[Sipapu Bridge]], Utah
* An arch at [[Tettegouche State Park]], [[Minnesota]], collapsed in 2010.<ref>[https://www.kare11.com/article/sports/outdoors/sea-stack-at-tettegouche-toppled-by-powerful-winter-storm/89-56d736af-d8a9-4306-aecd-0c85ada41bf2 "Sea stack at Tettegouche toppled by powerful winter storm"] 2019-12-02</ref>
* [[Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge]], [[Oregon]]
* [[Tonto Natural Bridge]], [[Arizona]]
* Twin Arches, [[Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area]], Tennessee<ref>[https://www.nps.gov/biso/learn/nature/twinarches.htm "Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area: Twin Arches"]. ''nps.gov''. April 14, 2015. Retrieved March 14, 2018.</ref>
* [[Window Rock, Arizona]]
* [[Wrather Arch]], Arizona
* [[Yahoo Arch]], Kentucky

===Oceania===
[[File:Hole in the Rock at Motukokako Island (Piercy Island).jpg|thumb|"The Hole in the Rock” on [[Piercy Island]], [[Cape Brett]], New Zealand]]
[[File:Rock arch south of Tunnel Beach.jpg|thumb|The arch at [[Tunnel Beach]], [[Dunedin]], New Zealand]]

====Australia====
* [[London Bridge (Victoria)|London Bridge]], [[Port Campbell National Park]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[Australia]] (one of the two spans collapsed in 1990)
* Natural Bridge, [[Springbrook National Park#Natural Bridge section|Springbrook National Park]], [[Queensland]], Australia
* Nature's Window, [[Kalbarri National Park]]. [[Western Australia]], [[Australia]]

====New Zealand====
* [[Mangapohue Natural Bridge]], [[New Zealand]]
* [[Oparara Basin Arches]], New Zealand
* "The Hole in the Rock", [[Piercy Island]], [[Cape Brett]], New Zealand
* [[Tunnel Beach]] arch, [[Dunedin]], New Zealand
* Spörings Arch, [[Tolaga Bay]], New Zealand
* [[Mercury Bay]], New Zealand (collapsed)

===South America===
[[File:20030924PPedraFurada9.jpg|thumb|right|Stone arch at [[Pedra Furada]], [[Piauí]], Brazil]]
[[Image:Morro da Igreja - Pedra Furada - Zoom.jpg|thumb|right|[[Pedra Furada (Santa Catarina)|Pedra Furada]], [[Santa Catarina (state)|Santa Catarina]], Brazil]]
* [[Arch Islands]], [[Falkland Islands]]
* [[Darwin's Arch]], [[Galápagos Islands]], [[Ecuador]] (collapsed in 2021)
* [[Icononzo]], [[Colombia]]
* [[La Portada]], [[Chile]]
* [[Jericoacoara Beach|Pedra Furada]], [[Ceará]], [[Brazil]]
* [[Pedra Furada]], [[Piauí]], [[Brazil]]
* [[Pedra Furada (Santa Catarina)|Pedra Furada]], [[Santa Catarina (state)|Santa Catarina]], [[Brazil]]
* [[Puente del Inca]], [[Argentina]]
* [[Sete Cidades National Park]], [[Brazil]]
* [[San Rafael Falls]], [[Ecuador]] (formed in 2020, collapsed in 2021)
* La Catedral, [[Paracas National Reserve]], [[Peru]] (Collapsed in 2007)

==See also==
*[[List of longest natural arches]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Natural arches}}
*[http://www.naturalarches.org/ The Natural Arch and Bridge Society]
*{{Cite AmCyc|wstitle=Bridge, Natural |short=x}}
*[http://arcg.is/2noo9Vl World map of many natural arches]

{{Coastal geography}}

[[Category:Natural arches| ]]
[[Category:Coastal and oceanic landforms]]
[[Category:Coastal geography]]
[[Category:Erosion landforms]]