Where Do I Find Arch Data?

Something you’ll often hear me refer to is “arch data”, but what is this data, and where do you even get it?

Well, the first question is quite simple to answer. When I talk about arch data, I’m simply generically referring to any datasets of natural arches that exist. These datasets can contain locations, pictures, measurements, and other information about the arches.

The second question, however, is a bit more complicated.

Warning

Before continuing, I want to address the fact that I will be mentioning some criticisms about some of the resources I mention here. These criticisms are not intended to be an attack on these resources or the people who maintain them. All of the resources mentioned here have been produced by a lot of people who have put an unbelievable amount of work into them. These criticisms are instead intended to point out where our datasets currently are, where they’re lacking, and, ultimately, how we can improve the documentation of our natural arches.

Where is all of this Data?

You see, there isn’t one central natural arch dataset. Even those that one would think would be a definitive source don’t quite live up to their expectations. This isn’t to say that there hasn’t been a huge amount of work put into these resources; it’s just that there really isn’t a good central repository of arch data.

As such, we arch hunters must resort to using a mishmash of different resources. These can include general arch databases, databases geared towards specific areas, and the datasets of individual arch hunters.

Let’s take a look at some of these resources.

General Arch Databases

When we’re talking about general arch datasets, there are really two that come to mind: The Natural Arch and Bridge Society and the World Arch Database.

The Natural Arch and Bridge Society Dataset

The Natural Arch and Bridge Society, or NABS, is a non-profit that aims to connect arch enthusiasts, promote the study of natural arches, and help encourage the preservation of these impressive natural formations.

Members of NABS gain access to a members-only area of the website that grants them access to a number of resources, one of which is their arch dataset.

One would think that NABS would have one of the better datasets around, but in doing the research for my own personal dataset, I’ve found it to be severely lacking.

The dataset has a huge number of arches in it, but the quality of the entries is hit or miss. There are plenty of duplicate entries, missing entries, and entries that have information that’s just flat out wrong. Despite these shortcomings, the NABS dataset remains one of the first resources I use when starting my research on a new area.

The World Arch Database

The World Arch Database, or WAD, aims to create a central database for the world’s arches and make it searchable by its members. Upon joining WAD, you gain access to its full repository of data.

The WAD dataset makes a number of improvements to the NABS dataset. For one, it puts all of the data into an easily searchable form. Additionally, the maintainers of WAD have worked to add pictures of many of the arches in the database and correct the inaccuracies in the NABS data as they’ve found them.

Despite these improvements, however, WAD is still far from a perfect dataset. By far the biggest issue with the dataset is that its base dataset is based on the NABS data. This means that there are still plenty of duplicate entries and entries with information that is simply inaccurate.

Again, they correct this as they come across it, but it’s a giant task. Combine that with the remote locations of some of these arches, and you realize just how daunting a task it really is!

Again, despite WAD not being a perfect dataset, it’s still among the first resources I use in my own research of a new area.

Regional Datasets

Both NABS and WAD aim to be a central repository of all of the world’s arches. This means that the scope of these projects is unimaginably immense.

Regional datasets, however, try to focus on a more specific area. This greatly reduces the scope of the project, making their goals a bit more attainable. As such, regional datasets can often be far more accurate than both NABS and WAD. Here are some of the regional datasets that I’m currently aware of:

Personal Datasets

The last category of arch datasets is those that are researched and maintained by individual arch hunters. Many of these datasets are private and inaccessible to all except their creators and the small number of people they choose to share them with.

Despite this, there are a few that we can generally access:

Other Resources?

Hopefully, you’ve found some of the resources mentioned here helpful. I’m always on the lookout for new arch datasets. If you have any available that you’d like to share, please feel free to let me know in the comments below!

You can also check out the page I put together for collecting resources for arch hunting.