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Margie | profile | all galleries >> National Parks/Monuments/ State Parks Gallery >> Time Stands Still at Arches National Park tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Time Stands Still at Arches National Park

Arches National Park is a U.S. National Park in eastern Utah. It is known for preserving over 2000 natural sandstone arches, including the world-famous Delicate Arch, in addition to a variety of unique geological resources and formations. The major formations visible in the park today are the salmon-colored Entrada Sandstone, in which most of the arches form, and the buff-colored Navajo Sandstone. These are visible in layer cake fashion throughout most of the park. Over time, water seeped into the surface cracks, joints, and folds of these layers. Ice formed in the fissures, expanding and putting pressure on surrounding rock, breaking off bits and pieces. Winds later cleaned out the loose particles. A series of free-standing fins remained. Wind and water attacked these fins until, in some, the cementing material gave way and chunks of rock tumbled out. Many damaged fins collapsed. Others, with the right degree of hardness and balance, survived despite their missing sections. These became the famous arches.
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Jeff on slick rock
Jeff on slick rock
Park Avenue
Park Avenue
Another shot of Park Avenue
Another shot of Park Avenue
Sailing Ship
Sailing Ship
example of distinct rock layers
example of distinct rock layers
Three Gossips &  Sheep Rock
Three Gossips & Sheep Rock
The Organ
The Organ
Three Gossips
Three Gossips
Sheep Rock
Sheep Rock
Tower of Babel
Tower of Babel
Possible arches
Possible arches
Balanced Rock in distance
Balanced Rock in distance
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