NABSQNO 31T-612892-4915334
Pont d'Arc near Vallon Pont d'Arc,
France Photo by Jay Wilbur
Example Meander Natural Bridge
NABSQNO 31T-612892-4915334. Pont d'Arc is a young meander natural bridge cut by the Ardeche River in southern France. Rapid uplift in this area combined with the Ardeche to incise a spectacular canyon, including a series of meanders. An opening eroded through the narrow neck of one of these meanders to create the arch. Subsequent growth has led to the classic semicircular aperture so characteristic of wall collapse and meander natural bridges. With a span of close to 190 feet, Pont d'Arc may be the largest natural arch in Europe. Nevertheless, Pont d'Arc must be considered young because the river completely fills the base of the arch's opening.
Pont d'Arc is a popular picnic and swimming destination for locals as well as tourists. Within a short walk of the arch is a cave recently discovered to contain several magnificent panels of cave paintings estimated to be as much as 30,000 years old.
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Other Meander Natural Bridge examples:
© 2003 by Jay H. Wilbur,
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