Posted on 06/09/2010 9:22:55 PM PDT by cogitator
If an arch falls in the desert...
Sorry about last week, I literally lost track of time. So here are several images from another of those amazing state parks in America, this one called the Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada, which is within driving distance of Las Vegas (and you can apparently drive through part of it). The reason for this particular posting is that one of the many arches in the park fell down very recently. Erosion happens. When you see the arch that fell down, you can understand why; this one was pretty precarious.
Article: Valley of Fire State Park: Natural Arch suddenly collapses: Rocky arm some hikers called the 'dragon' is no more (By the way, it wasn't very big -- about six feet tall)
Valley of Fire State Park information page (includes a short video)
I grabbed a lot of pictures of this place. I hope nobody minds. Below the pictures is a bonus of recent events at Kilauea, which is currently hosting two active and visible lava ponds. Google "HVO" to get to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Web site, with more webcams.
All images but the first and the one designated as full-size can be clicked to see a larger version.
Elephant Rock Arch: you can see the road behind it
Another one of Elephant Rock Arch
Planet of the Apes apartment? (this image is shown at full-size -- the actual geological formation is bigger, though) 
This is the "dragon" arch that fell;
Pu'u O'o lava lake circulation thermal video (Quicktime)
Pu'u O'o crater rim live Webcam
Color picture showing small areas of incandescence (click for full-size):
** ping **
The loss of the arch would have happened at some time, but it does seem a shame that something there for so long fell.
One of the best times I’ve ever had hiking and camping was in the Canyonlands Park. We camped there for three days and loved it.
Thanks for the beautiful photos.
Cool! I was just there June 4th.
Fallen!
Crashed to the ground!
Just like the Great Global Warming Hoax!
:)
Prince Edward Island used to have many soft-stone arches; they are now all gone.
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