Delicate Arch is the most famous natural arch in Arches National Park in Utah. The arch stands alone on a wide, open bowl of rock. Its bright orange-red color comes from sandstone, a rock made of tiny grains. Sunlight makes the arch glow at sunrise and sunset, drawing visitors from around the world.
Over millions of years, wind, rain, and freezing water slowly wore away the sandstone. Cracks widened. Softer rock eroded first, and harder layers stayed in place. Little by little, an opening formed. Today the arch rises more than 40 feet high and frames the sky like a giant window. Although it looks strong, the arch is still changing as nature continues to shape it.
People have noticed Delicate Arch for a long time. Indigenous peoples left rock art in the region, showing that this landscape has been important for centuries. In modern times, the arch has become a symbol of Utah. It appears on license plates, postage stamps, and travel posters. Many hikers follow a three-mile round-trip trail to see it up close.
Hiking to Delicate Arch can be hot and dry. Visitors are urged to carry water, wear sturdy shoes, and stay on marked paths to protect fragile crusts and plants. By caring for the land, people help preserve the arch and the desert around it so future visitors can experience this remarkable place.
1. What is the main idea of the passage?
2. Where is Delicate Arch located?
3. How did Delicate Arch form?
4. Why is Delicate Arch a symbol of Utah today?
5. What should hikers bring or do when visiting Delicate Arch?
6. What does the word eroded most nearly mean as used in the passage?
7. Which statement is supported by the passage?