Aloba Arch, Natural stone arch in Ennedi Region, Chad.
The natural stone formation reaches 120 meters in height and extends across a span of 77 meters in the northeastern section of Chad.
Geologists confirmed the exact measurements of this natural formation in 2004 using laser technology and additional field studies in 2016.
The arch stands as a geological monument in the Sahara Desert, drawing researchers and photographers who document its exceptional dimensions.
Visitors need to arrange transportation from the nearest town of Fada, located 60 miles northwest through desert terrain to reach this formation.
The arch developed through two distinct phases, with the lower section formed by stream erosion and the upper part shaped by wind forces.
Location: Ennedi Region
GPS coordinates: 16.74176,22.23944
Latest update: April 19, 2025 12:57
Geological forces have carved openings, arches, and caves into rock formations across continents through millions of years of erosion. Water, wind, and weathering have shaped these natural structures from various rock types, creating landmarks that reveal the Earth's ongoing transformation. The formations appear in diverse environments, from coastlines where ocean waves carve passages through limestone cliffs to desert regions where wind erosion creates openings in sandstone walls. This collection spans locations such as Durdle Door along England's Jurassic Coast, where a 200-foot (60-meter) arch rises from layers dating to the Mesozoic era. The Faraglioni Rocks off Capri reach heights of 360 feet (109 meters) and include a natural passage navigable by boat. In landlocked regions, formations like the Eyes of God in Bulgaria's Prohodna Cave display symmetrical ceiling openings where sunlight penetrates the rock. Desert sites such as Las Ventanas in Argentina's Andes showcase wind-carved arches in remote sandstone landscapes. Each location offers direct evidence of erosion processes that continue shaping these geological features, from readily accessible coastal points to isolated areas requiring significant travel to reach.
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