Sea Arch Collapses

Hawaii's Historic Hōlei Sea Arch Collapses Into the Pacific Ocean

Hawaii's Hōlei Sea Arch, a colossal sea arch that stood at a height of roughly 90 feet (27 meters), has collapsed into the Pacific Ocean more than 500 years after it was naturally formed. The arch was located in Hawaii's Volcanoes National Park on the southern coast of the Big Island, the largest and youngest island of the Hawaiian chain. The National Park Service confirmed that the arch formed around 550 years ago when ancient lava flow from the eruption of one of the island's six volcanoes hit the cliff edges and carved the vault. While the exact time of the collapse is unknown, the park confirmed that it was still standing when it reopened during Tropical Storm Nolo. The park urged visitors to stay away from the unstable cliff edges to avoid putting themselves at risk.