Natural Bridge, the “eighth wonder of the world.” Actually, arches like Natural Bridge are found in karst areas throughout the world. Image on the right shows an early drawing of Natural Bridge. (Photograph by Robert Whisonant; Drawing courtesy of Royster Lyle, Jr.)
• The bridge is a 200-foot-high stone arch formed in dolomite of the OrdovicianNatural Bridge is part of an ancient cave system. Cedar Creek flowed along the floor of the cave. The cave roof eroded away except for the stronger rock in the Natural Bridge arch. The arch probably survived because of the presence of thick, flat-lying dolomite beds. (Photograph by Lori Combs)
The fate of Natural Bridge is to disappear. Pieces of the bridge are broken loose by freeezing and thawing water and other forces. Eventually, Natural Bridge will disappear.
(Photograph by Karen Cecil)