Explanation | In the Arch Lightning strike elucidation Cramped and crowded |
A
t the top of the arch, the observation deck is small and V shaped. The viewing area supposedly can hold up to 160 people, but is crowded with considerably fewer. There are 16 windows on each side with views to the east and west. Each window is only 7" x 27", and they slant outward as the arch cross section is an equilateral triangle. To see out, visitors must lean against the angled walls. Over 500 tons of pressure purportedly was used to jack the legs of the arch apart to insert the last four-foot top section. Larger windows would not withstand that pressure.
A series of lightning rods positioned on top are grounded directly into bedrock. With a completely insulated interior, the arch is able to withstand hundreds of lightning strikes each year. Rangers work a single, two hour shift at the top on a given day, primarily to answer visitor questions.
