Hawaii's Hōlei sea arch collapses after recent storms
The 550-year-old Hōlei sea arch in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park fell into the Pacific Ocean following a series of recent tropical storms, according to the National Park Service.
The National Park Service confirmed that the Hōlei sea arch, a natural formation that had stood for roughly 550 years on the southern coast of the Big Island, collapsed into the Pacific Ocean between September 23 and September 27. The arch, which rose about 90 feet, was created by differential erosion of ancient lava flows and had shown signs of instability for years.
"The arch formed in ancient lava flows by removing rock along cracks and weaker rocks. It will not be here forever. Every day the ocean crashes against the pillar of the arch, eroding it a little more. One day, it will be gone," US Geological Survey description, 2014.
The collapse follows a period of heightened storm activity, including Tropical Storm Nolo, which intensified into a hurricane on September 24 and prompted a temporary park closure. Earlier in the year, Tropical Storm Darby caused a portion of the arch’s lower section to break off, and previous seismic activity from the 2018 Kīlauea eruption had damaged surrounding cliffs. The region has experienced an above-average number of severe storms this season, a pattern linked to El Niño conditions that increase tropical cyclone frequency in the Pacific.
Authorities noted that the arch’s instability had been recognized for years, leading to the relocation of the viewing platform in early 2020 after new cracks appeared. The recent collapse underscores the ongoing impact of natural forces on coastal landmarks in Hawaii.