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Sea Arch

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Last updated date: 24th Apr 2024
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Coastal Arch

Mother nature is lovable and commendable and everyone loves visiting different natural landforms and spending quality time. A sea arch is one among them formed due to erosion of rocks and sand. Due to variable rates of erosion, rocks collide and break to form minute particles that further dissolve in the seawater. These deposits take millions of years to deposit and form rock in different shapes. 


The best part of such disposition is the formation of new shapes and wave-cut platforms that cause hollow arches. Arches are formed by only roof cave remains within a rock. This naturally formed arch has a spectacular shape when ocean waves cause a rate in rock movement. Let us understand different ocean arch famous around the world with the major specification for each. 


What are Two Coastal Landforms Formed by the Sea Arches?

Usually, when the ocean waves erode a weaker section of rocks, it forms different shapes. Arches are the hollow caves formed due to continuous strike of wave and wind on the weaker section of rocks. The ocean waves hit soft rocks and form arches generally by the beachside. However, the large and massive arches are visited with a boat such that people can quickly drive watercraft through it. It is a coastal arch that naturally either forms a bridge shape and a door style to move from one section of the ocean to another. 

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  • Natural Bridge: 

When huge ocean waves cut through rocks, it forms an upper portion like a bridge causing a hollow shape at the bottom. Thus the ocean arch forms a bridge where people usually love visiting being a tourist spot. These take millions of years to develop.

  • Door Style:

An arch forms causing hollow inside a rock forms a door style. People visit this spectacular arch ocean through boats that pass by from one side of the sea to another. 


Major Coastal Arch in the World

Huge ocean waves throughout the world erode weaker sections from the rocks which form arches. These natural processes take thousands of years but present beautiful scenery before us to spend some good time. There is a list below stating some major arches formed with ocean waves that are highly explored. 

  • Crohy Head Sea Arch

It is one song gem arch that pinpoints on Donegal Coastline on Mullaghmullan Peninsula. Crohy Head Sea Arch is also famous as “Breeches” that defines the beautiful arch of Ireland. It is a perfect tourist spot which is 8 km west of Dungloe. It is around 25 meters high above the seashore.

  • Great Pollet Sea Arch

Thousands of years took to form the greatest arch ocean of Ireland- The great Pollet Arch. The arch is situated at the north of Doagh Beg, the small village east of Fanad Peninsula. Thousands of tourists visit this arch to admire its beauty, moving 8 km west to Dungloe. 

  • Hōlei Sea Arch

Hōlei Sea Arch is a stark lava rock formation formed in the Pacific Ocean. It is about 27.4 meters high above seashores but supposed to have a limited life span. It is formed through differential erosion which is a cut from the cliff of ancient lava.

  • Pokowai Sea Arch

Some formations of the arch ocean take place due to the collision of lava with ocean water. One such example is the Pokowai Sea Arch which is formed with the collision of volcanic lava with pacific water. It is visible from Highway 31 around #29 Mile Marker. It is the safest spot to view and photograph. 

  • Kingsgate Bay Sea Arch

Kingsgate Bay Sea Arch is famous for its chalky rock structure, which is very pleasing. It is a sandy cave that seems to be life-threatening due to regular chalk falls, which have no protection from sea walls. However, people usually make family visits to Kingsgate Bay beach.  


Sea Arch Efficiency Units

Sea Arch Efficiency Units is an accommodation area to plan your stay near the seashore. You enjoy a standard quality stay with tons of services. People visit this place because of the comprehensive and pleasant ocean view for different small ocean arches. 

FAQs on Sea Arch

Q1. How is a Sea Arch Formed?

Ans. When large rocky coastlines flow into the sea, an arch is formed with a gate-like look, a coastal arch. It is all mother nature's process for the disposition of rocks or causing a hollow cave parting ocean or sea into two. When powerful waves of ocean strike a rock, the weaker section is displaced, which further causes an open area in a rock. The waves start braking through the right headland, forming an arch-like gate. 


Usually, this rock’s disposition by huge ocean waves creates two different coastal landforms- a natural bridge and a gate. It is not a single day process but takes thousands and millions of years to develop a natural arch. Further erosion of these arches can lead to the formation of massive columns, which are sea stacks.

Q2. How Can You Say an Ocean Arch is Constructive or a Destructive Landform?

Ans. Landforms are all due to the destruction and construction of rocks. Destructive forces are a result of usual wind and water erosion. However, constructive forces include volcanic eruption, deformation, and deposition of sediments. Since an arch ocean is caused due to water and wind erosion on the weaker rock section, it is a destructive landform. 


The falling of huge ocean waves on the weaker rocks day by day causes a hollow cavity. This open cavity is a passage from one side of the ocean to another in the gate-like structure we call an arch. These arches give rise to either a natural bridge and form an entrance into the sea to pass-by. It is a million or thousand years process occurring without human aid.