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Show Immense Rock Slide Closes Bridqe Canyon Immense rock slabs peeled off the lip of a 1,000-foot high cliff Monday falling into the marina bay one-fourth mile west of Rainbow Bridge. The canyon has been closed to all visitors until safety is m assured by geologists, the National Park Service announced. announ-ced. The fall began about 9 a.m. and was reported from a private pilot flying over the area. Rock slabs 10 feet wide, 30 to 40 feet long and up to two feet thick broke loose from a cliff-top area 70 feet by 35 feet. They fell to break up on the talus slope at the base of the vertical cliff and rolled into the bay water in smaller pieces the Park Service reported. The bulk of the rock fell in the first half hour but pieces continued crashing intermittently intermit-tently until 1:30 p.m. Monday. Injuries No injuries or damage were caused to five boats and passengers in the bay at the time the rock fall began, according to James L. Isen-ogle, Isen-ogle, the agency's assistant regional director for Utah. "We will have geologists inspect the cliff. Visitor access will be resumed when inspection inspec-tion determines the rock fall area has stabilized and boat passage through the narrow canyon is safe," Mr. Isenogle said. This could be a couple of days, or longer, depending on their report." He reported all boats are now being stopped at Bridge Canyon marina, one mile below the trailhead to Rainbow Bridge. |