Fiery Furnace

Fiery Furnace in Arches National Park
	Shot from the airplane - Arches Scenic Drive to the left
location	United States, Utah, Arches National Park
part of	Colorado Plateau
Classification according to	Geomorphological classification of Utah
Coordinates	38 ° 45 ′ 0 ″ N , 109 ° 34 ′ 0 ″ W Coordinates: 38 ° 45 ′ 0 ″ N , 109 ° 34 ′ 0 ″ W.
rock	Sandstone
surface	1 km²
particularities	walkable natural labyrinth
	Climbing through a corridor laid rubble
	narrow gap between two ribs

The Fiery Furnace ( English for "glow furnace") is an approximately 1 km² area in Arches National Park in Utah , United States . There you can find huge sandstone ribs between which labyrinthine corridors run.

geomorphology

location

The area is located in the center of the national park at the intersection of two collapsed anticlines , namely that of the Salt Valley to the west of the site and that of the Cache Valley to the southeast of the site.

Terrain structure

The terrain slopes downward from northwest to southeast. As a result, wind and weather have created wall-like sandstone ribs there in the upper, northern part of the area following the slope of the area, between which sand-drifted or rubble-buried corridors run, some of which are cross-connected. The sandstone ribs are sometimes several tens of meters high and only a few meters thick. The gaps between them can be many meters to a few centimeters wide. In the lower, southern part, the terrain is structured in a smaller way and, in addition to sandstone structures, is also characterized by dunes and bushes.

The Fiery Furnace also has numerous, albeit smaller, stone arches and bridges. They are mostly of the cliff wall type, which can only be recognized on closer inspection because the stone arches hang directly in front of rock walls.

Emergence

Geologically, the Fiery Furnace is part of the Colorado Plateau and is generally subject to the conditions and mechanisms prevailing there. What has been described about the geology of the Arches National Park and there in particular about the formation of the stone arches ("arches") applies specifically to the formation of the sandstone formations that characterize it.

Geologically speaking, it is a young and dynamic area. The formation continues. Arches emerge and also collapse.

Climate, flora and fauna

The major climate, flora and fauna largely correspond to those of Arches National Park. Local peculiarities result from the fact that the stone formations cause striking shading, so that the solar radiation on the ground is less than in the surrounding areas. It is therefore a little cooler there than in the area. Puddles and pools therefore last longer in the Fiery Furnace than in its surroundings. This attracts mule deer , which are hardly shy about moving about the terrain. We also find horseshoe crabs and Spatelfußkröten.

Surname

The name "Fiery Furnace" is less explained by the temperatures in the area. Rather, it alludes to the glowing red color of the exposed sandstone formations, especially during sunset.

Accessibility, access regulations, accessibility

The closest city to the Fiery Furnace is Moab , Utah. In Arches National Park the Fiery Furnace is signposted and accessible by car from Scenic Drive via a short branch path, has a parking lot and a lookout point a good 100 m away. The site itself is located east of the parking lot.

The Fiery Furnace is accessible. Depending on the subsurface and the width of the crevices, the crevices between the ribs can be walked on or climbed through. Since there are no maps, signposts or markings, the area has the character of a maze for hikers . However, due to the strong tourist interest and alpine dangers , access is regulated. You can only hike in it as part of guided tours or with a permit (“Permit”). The area has exposed paths that can make the way back impossible. If you want to move it, you have to sure-footed and afraid of heights , and have brought sufficient condition. Tour tickets and permits are only available from the visitor center at the park entrance.