Silvermine Arch - Red River Gorge Geologic Area, KY, US
N 37° 47.222 W 083° 37.446
17S E 268926 N 4185429
Located on Silvermine Arch Trail #225
Waymark Code: WMTQD3
Location: Kentucky, United States
Date Posted: 12/29/2016
Views: 0
Although not large this arch is the most unusual in its character. First it was formed in a different way from the ridge top arches. This is one of only two waterfall step arches in Red River Gorge. A waterfall step arch starts when a waterfall with a precipitous drop hits the hard erosion resistant sandstone. As the top of the waterfall erodes it washes away the weak sedimentary layers below leaving a shelf. The retreating waterfall hits a weak segment in the harder sandstone and eventually the waterfall undermines the shelf and isolates it creating an arch.
It has a steep escarpment cutting close to one side of the arch that makes it very dark underneath. There is a small rock shelter on the other side of the arch that adds to the grotto effect. This gives it the appearance of grotto in the Leonardo’s “The Virgin of the Rocks” especially on a misty day.
It also has another oddity that you will not see on any other arch. The arch extends out from the steep band and curves the way that most other arches do. But when the curve starts down it should return to the ground but it doesn’t.
Photo of the Arch by itself?: yes
Type of Arch: Water Eroded
Type of Material:
Sandstone
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Visit Instructions:
You must post a picture of you with a GPSr or Geocaching/Waymarking attire/equipment and the subject arch in the background.