Famous rock arch collapses
Story By: Abby Lane
Source: AP
ARCHES NATIONAL PARK, Utah (AP) - Wall Arch, one of the largest and most photographed formations in Utah's Arches National Park, has collapsed.
The arch is along Devils Garden Trail, one of the most popular in the park. The park's chief of interpretation says it fell early last week. Paul Henderson says it was claimed by forces that will eventually destroy others in the park: gravity and erosion. He adds, "They all let go after a while."
It's the first collapse of a major arch in the southern Utah park since nearby Landscape Arch fell in 1991. Henderson says no one has reported seeing it fall.
Like others in the park, Wall Arch was formed by sandstone whittled over time into its distinctive formation. It was first reported and named in 1948 and stood more than 33 feet tall and 71 feet across. That ranked it 12th in size among the park's estimated 2,000 arches.
Park authorities have closed the portion of the trail where Wall Arch stood until debris is cleared and what remains has been deemed safe for visitors.
