Red River Gorge Virtual Field Trip

Red River Gorge Stop #2

Princess Arch

Princess Arch.

Ridge Top Arches

Princess arch is an excellent example of a "finished" ridgetop arch. The name is derived from its location, the top of a ridge. A ridge like this forms as a sandstone-capped hill slowly erodes away. Continuing erosion on both sides of the ridge will eventually from a hole in it, which is called a lighthouse. As this hole grows larger an arch is formed. This is the most common type of arch in the gorge. It is called a "finished arch" because of its narrow profile, smooth underside, and the lack of large boulders below it. This is all evidence that the arch has been around for quite some time.

Unfortunately this arch will fall one day (long after all of us are gone), because it is constantly being eroded. But remember that this is a cycle, and while this arch will one day fall, new arches are constantly being formed.

Build a Natural Arch!!