Hazarchishma Natural Bridge
Encyclopedia
Hazarchishma Natural Bridge is a natural arch
located in central Afghanistan
, and world's 12th largest natural bridge. The bridge spans 64.2 meters (211.0 feet) across its base, and its elevation is 3,100 meters (10,000 feet) above sea level; making it one of the highest large natural bridges in the world. It also ranks among the largest such structures known.
The bridge is located in the Hindu Kush
mountains and approximately 100km north of Band-e Amir
, a collection of six deep blue lakes separated by natural dams made of travertine
, in the northern edge of Bamiyan Province
in Afghanistan. Hazarchishma natural bridge was discovered in late 2010 by the Wildlife Conservation Society
staff. It is also one of the highest natural arches in the world.
It is also home to ibex and urial wild sheep.
Natural arch
A natural arch or natural bridge is a natural geological formation where a rock arch forms, with an opening underneath. Most natural arches form as a narrow ridge, walled by cliffs, become narrower from erosion, with a softer rock stratum under the cliff-forming stratum gradually eroding out until...
located in central Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, and world's 12th largest natural bridge. The bridge spans 64.2 meters (211.0 feet) across its base, and its elevation is 3,100 meters (10,000 feet) above sea level; making it one of the highest large natural bridges in the world. It also ranks among the largest such structures known.
The bridge is located in the Hindu Kush
Hindu Kush
The Hindu Kush is an mountain range that stretches between central Afghanistan and northern Pakistan. The highest point in the Hindu Kush is Tirich Mir in the Chitral region of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.It is the westernmost extension of the Pamir Mountains, the Karakoram Range, and is a...
mountains and approximately 100km north of Band-e Amir
Band-e Amir
Band-e Amir is a series of six deep blue lakes separated by natural dams made of travertine, a mineral deposit. The lakes are situated in the Hindu Kush Mountains of Central Afghanistan at approximately 3000 meters of elevation, west of the famous Buddhas of Bamiyan.They were created by the carbon...
, a collection of six deep blue lakes separated by natural dams made of travertine
Travertine
Travertine is a form of limestone deposited by mineral springs, especially hot springs. Travertine often has a fibrous or concentric appearance and exists in white, tan, and cream-colored varieties. It is formed by a process of rapid precipitation of calcium carbonate, often at the mouth of a hot...
, in the northern edge of Bamiyan Province
Bamiyan Province
Bamyan Province is one of the thirty-four provinces of Afghanistan. It is in the centre of the country. Its capital is also called Bamyan. The majority of the population are Hazaras, with 16% Sadat, 15% Tajiks, and Pashtuns and Tatars in smaller numbers...
in Afghanistan. Hazarchishma natural bridge was discovered in late 2010 by the Wildlife Conservation Society
Wildlife Conservation Society
The Wildlife Conservation Society based at the Bronx Zoo was founded in 1895 as the New York Zoological Society and currently manages some of wild places around the world, with over 500 field conservation projects in 60 countries, and 200 scientists on staff...
staff. It is also one of the highest natural arches in the world.
It is also home to ibex and urial wild sheep.
External links
- Newly discovered natural arch in Afghanistan one of world's largest, ScienceDaily, March 30, 2011