ARCHES NATIONAL PARK — Workers discovered extensive rock graffiti at Arches National Park last week, and the park wants the public's help identifying whoever is responsible.

The markings were found at Frame Arch, Arches National Park Superintendent Kate Cannon said Wednesday. The vandalism was "expansive," according to Cannon.

"It must have taken a long time," she said. "It may have been (done by) a couple of different people. It’s a very deeply etched piece of graffiti."

Names etched on the rock at Frame Arch include "Staten" and "Andersen," according to a Facebook post by the park. Cannon said she hopes someone will come forward to ensure those who made the graffiti are held responsible.

"It's destructive and it … mars the experience of those who come to enjoy the place in its natural state," she said.

The superintendent added graffiti is a growing concern at Arches National Park.

"We’ve seen an explosion of graffiti over the last several years," Cannon said. "We’re constantly working to remove it. It’s gotten so huge. It gets huge because it becomes accepted in the public mind."

It requires hundreds of hours of volunteer work to rid the area of graffiti, according to park officials. Graffiti etched on rock has to be ground off or filled in and covered up, but in some instances can only be left as is, Cannon said.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Arches National Park at 435-719-2100 or archinfo@nps.gov.

— Ben Lockhart