The Colorado River flows through Horseshoe Bend in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, as seen in Page, Arizona, on June 8, 2022. AP Photo


August 10, 2024 Tags:

In a surprising turn of events, a well-known geological feature in southern Utah has collapsed. The landmark, known as the "Double Arch," "Hole in the Roof," and occasionally referred to as the "Toilet Bowl," fell on Thursday, according to officials from the National Park Service. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.
This beloved arch was a prominent attraction in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, a vast region that stretches across the border of Utah and Arizona. The collapse has raised concerns among park rangers, who believe that fluctuating water levels and wave erosion from Lake Powell played a significant role in the structure's downfall.

The Double Arch, like many natural formations, was subject to the forces of nature. It was carved from Navajo sandstone, a rock type that dates back 190 million years to the late Triassic and early Jurassic periods. This fine-grained sandstone has weathered many challenges over millions of years, including the effects of wind, rain, and time. However, the recent changes in the lake’s water levels and the constant erosion from waves have likely accelerated the arch's deterioration.

Michelle Kerns, the superintendent of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, highlighted that this incident underscores the importance of safeguarding the area's natural features. She emphasized that the lifespan of such geological formations can be significantly impacted by both natural and human-induced factors. "These features have a lifespan that can be influenced or damaged by manmade interventions," Kerns stated.

The Glen Canyon National Recreation Area spans almost 2,000 square miles (5,180 square kilometres) and is a popular spot for boating and hiking. The collapse of the Double Arch serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between nature and human activity. It also draws attention to the broader issue of preserving natural landmarks in the face of environmental changes and human impact.

In light of this event, park officials are calling for increased awareness and care to protect the mineral resources and natural beauty of the area. The collapse of such a notable landmark not only affects the landscape but also impacts the experiences of visitors who come to admire these natural wonders.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

You may also like

Carney refuses to fire official over Chinese bounty remark on candidate

Liberal leader Mark Carney announced on Monday that he would not remove Paul Chiang as a candidate in the Markham-Unionville....

Cory Booker Delivers Long Senate Speech In Protest Of Trump

Senator Cory Booker from New Jersey gave a powerful, all-night speech in the Senate, protesting President Donald Trump’s actions. Starting....

Liberals Lead By 8 Points As Election Race Heats Up

Canada's election race is in full swing, with recent polls showing the Liberal Party gaining an eight-point lead over the....

Elon Musk Says He Gave Ashley St. Clair $2.5M In Child Support

Elon Musk is denying accusations that he has financially punished Ashley St. Clair and their child. The controversy started when....

Virginia Giuffre Hospitalized After Serious Car Crash

Virginia Giuffre, one of the most well-known accusers of Jeffrey Epstein, is in the hospital after a severe car accident.....

Trump Says Things With Canada Will Be Fine, But Tariffs Still Loom

U.S. President Donald Trump sounded hopeful about the relationship between his country and Canada after a phone call with Prime....

Liberal Candidate Apologizes For Bounty Remark On Conservative Rival

A Liberal candidate seeking re-election in a key GTA riding has apologized after making an inappropriate remark about a Chinese....

Partial Solar Eclipse To Dazzle Eastern Canada This Saturday

Eastern Canada will witness a stunning partial solar eclipse on Saturday morning. To catch the event, skywatchers will need to....

Trump Withdraws Elise Stefanik’s UN Ambassador Nomination

President Donald Trump has decided to cancel the nomination of New York Representative Elise Stefanik for the role of US....

Canadian PM warns of strained US-Canada ties over trade threats.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney warned that the country must significantly cut its reliance on the US as their relationship....

Poilievre Promises TFSA Boost To Encourage Canadian Investment If Elected

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has promised to increase the limit on tax-free savings accounts (TFSAs) if he wins the upcoming....

Liberals Hold Strong Lead, But Conservatives Show Signs Of Recovery

The Liberal Party is holding a solid lead in the polls, with 48% of support compared to the Conservatives’ 36%.....