This list of longest natural arches ranks the world's natural arches by the length of their span as defined and measured by the Natural Arch and Bridge Society (NABS).[1] [2]
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.[3]
All known natural arches with span lengths of 180sigfig=3NaNsigfig=3 or greater are included in the list. Sort by clicking on column headings, excepting only the Image and Notes columns.
| Rank | Image | Name | Span (m) | Span (ft) | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | external image | Xianren Bridge (Fairy Bridge) | 121.9 | 400 | Span measured by Natural Arch and Bridge Society (NABS) in 2010. The accuracy is stated as within ±15sigfig=3NaNsigfig=3.[4] | ||
| 2 | external image | China, Guizhou, Zhijin Cave Scenic Area | 103.6 | 340 | Span measured by NABS, 2015.[5] | ||
| 3 | China, Guangxi, Jiangzhou | 94.5 | 310 | Span measured by NABS, 2010. Estimates range from 280sigfig=4NaNsigfig=4 to 340sigfig=4NaNsigfig=4, so the midpoint is listed, ±36sigfig=3NaNsigfig=3 which includes a ±6sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 accuracy above/below the higher/lower estimate. Jiangzhou ranks somewhere between 2nd and 6th position based on current estimates.[6] | |||
| 4 | external image | China, Guizhou, Si Lian | 91.4 | 300 | Span measured by NABS, 2015.[7] | ||
| 5 | 88.4 | 290 | Span measured by NABS, 2004.[8] | ||||
| 6 | 87.5 | 287 | Span measured by NABS, 2006. Formerly considered longer than Landscape Arch.[9] | ||||
| 7 | external image | China, Guizhou, Dafang | 76.5 | 251 | Span measured by NABS, 2015.[10] | ||
| 8 | 76.2 | 250 | Rank based on estimated span length only. Precise measurements have yet to be made according to NABS standards.[11] | ||||
| 9 | 74.1 | 243 | Span measured by NABS, year not specified.[12] Morning Glory is a natural arch, not a natural bridge.[13] | ||||
| 10 | external image | China, Guizhou, Gaotun | 73.2 | 240 | Span measured by NABS, 2010.[14] | ||
| 11 | 71.3 | 234 | Span measured by NABS, 2007. Formerly considered the 3rd longest span in the world.[15] | ||||
| 12 | external image | China, Guizhou, Getu Valley National Park | 70.1 | 230 | Span measured by NABS, 2013 and 2015.[16] | ||
| 13 | 68.6 | 225 | Span measured by NABS, 2007. Formerly considered the 4th longest span in the world.[17] | ||||
| 14 | 67.1 | 220 | Rank based on estimated span length only. Precise measurements have yet to be made according to NABS standards.[18] | ||||
| 15 | China, Xinjiang, K'ashih | 65.2 | 214 | Discovered by Eric Shipton in 1947 and measured in 2000 by a National Geographic Society-sponsored expedition.[19] | |||
| 16 | external image | China, Guizhou, Zunyi | 64.9 | 213 | Span measured by NABS, 2013.[20] | ||
| 17 | external image | Afghanistan, Bamyan Province, Jawzari Canyon | 64.3 | 211 | Discovered by the Wildlife Conservation Society in 2010.[21] WCS returned to measure the span according to NABS standards in 2011.[22] | ||
| 18 | external image | 62.8 | 206 | Discovered by rock climbers in 2006 who returned later in the same year to measure the span according to NABS standards.[23] | |||
| 19 | 62.2 | 204 | Span measured by NABS, 1988. Arch is on land of the Navajo Nation and is not publicly accessible.[24] | ||||
| 20 | France, Ardèche département | 59 | 194 | Spans the river Ardèche near the town of Vallon-Pont-d'Arc.[25] | |||
| 21 | United States, Utah, Natural Bridges National Monument | 58.2 | 192 | Span measured by NABS, 2007. An earlier non-NABS estimate was 206sigfig=3NaNsigfig=3.[26] | |||
| 22 | China, Hunan Province, Zhangjiajie | 55 | 180 | 130 m high. Span reported by NABS.[27] | |||
| 23 | 54.9 | 180 | NABS states that the span cannot be more than 180sigfig=3NaNsigfig=3 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 246sigfig=3NaNsigfig=3.[28] |
