BIG WATER, Kane County — About 20 to 30 people were swimming and playing around Lake Powell’s Double Arch Thursday afternoon when Merrill Campbell said he heard a “big splash. “
“(It was) noticeably bigger than jumping into the lake,” he said Friday. “It felt like a rock the size of a Volkswagen had fallen. “
Campbell, who was sailing in the domain at the time, was one of several witnesses who saw the popular geological feature begin to sink into the water. The capacity did not decrease suddenly, but in small portions during the day.
After five hours it disappeared completely.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area officials showed Friday that Double Arch, also known to visitors as the “Toilet Bowl,” “Crescent Pool” or “Hole in the Roof,” collapsed Thursday. Array No injuries were reported, the video shows many other people in the domain as it began to collapse.
“This occasion reminds us of our duty and our desire towards the mineral resources surrounding Lake Powell. These elements have a lifespan that can be influenced or broken by synthetic interventions,” Michelle Kerns, superintendent of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, said in a statement. .
Park officials note that the natural formation formed from Navajo sandstone from the Late Triassic to the Early Jurassic, about 190 million years ago. It’s unclear what exactly caused the collapse, however, its formation was the result of many of the same points that likely caused its collapse, such as erosion caused by wind, rain, and other climatic factors.
Rangers say adjustments in water levels in the man-made reservoir (a reservoir that began filling in 1963) and erosion by wave action likely also contributed to the feature’s collapse.
News of its collapse spread temporarily on social media and online discussion forums with outdoor topics, even before the National Park Service showed the collapse. Monica Miles, who said the herbs feature one of her family’s favorite portions of Lake Powell, among which she returned to the site on Friday to find it completely gone.
“I know my core sank and I knew how unhappy I was going to be,” she said. “But we have so many glorious memories there that will last forever. “
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, along Lake Powell, broke its attendance record last year, attracting 5. 2 million visitors.
His popularity has shown no signs of slowing down this year. Kerns said park rangers are doing everything they can to make sure other features of the park are available to visitors.
“We will continue our efforts to protect Lake Powell’s resources for future generations to enjoy,” he said.
Collaborator: Lauren Steinbrecher