Grosvenor Double Arch
Photographer: Thomas McGuire
Summary Author: Thomas McGuire
Over the past 20 plus years, the Earth Science Picture of the Day has featured a number of arch formations. Shown above is the Grosvenor Arch, south of Cannonville, Utah. It’s an unusual double arch 150 feet (46 m) above the desert floor. The largest of the two has a span of approximately 100 feet (30 m).
If the name Grosvenor sounds familiar, it’s because this arch was named for Gilbert Hovey Grosvenor who was the president of the National Geographic Society for 34 years (1920–1954). He was also a founding proponent of our National Park System.
The arch is an iconic feature of human architecture, from bridges and dams, to towering cathedrals. Building materials such as stone and concrete have great compressional strength making them prime materials for use in load-bearing arches. Structural arches can support exceptionally heavy loads, and even cable-stayed suspension bridges often take advantage of arches (inverted arches) to handle the tremendous loads they support. Photo taken on March 26, 2007.
Grosvenor Arch, Utah Coordinates: 37.4564, -111.8316
Related Links
Arch Within an Arch
Natural Bridges Versus Natural Arches
Author’s Science Books
Student Links
Why are there so many natural arches in Utah?
Author's Most Recent Earth Science Book
View Larger Map