Hawaii, Oct 3: The ‘Hōlei Sea Arch’—a famous natural arch in Hawaii, USA, believed to have formed from lava rock approximately 550 years ago—has collapsed into the Pacific Ocean. With this, a beautiful natural landmark along the island’s coastline, which was a popular spot for photography, has been lost.
Standing about 90 feet tall, this natural arch was located at the end of ‘Chain of Craters Road’ within the ‘Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park’ on the Big Island. According to the US National Park Service (NPS), the arch was visible from the coast until September 23 but had completely disappeared by September 27. The exact time of the collapse is unknown.
The park had been temporarily closed due to Tropical Storm ‘Nolo.’ It is suspected that the natural arch may have collapsed under the impact of massive waves during that period.
The Hōlei Sea Arch had been showing signs of deterioration over the past few years. The NPS had warned as early as 2021 that this section of the coastline was gradually weakening due to constant ocean waves and soil erosion, and that it would eventually collapse into the sea.
What caused the collapse of the Hōlei Sea Arch?
Earthquakes resulting from the 2018 Kīlauea volcanic eruption and the subsequent collapse of the volcano’s summit had damaged the rock formations in this area.
The NPS had closed the original viewing area in January 2020 after cracks and signs of instability were observed. A new viewing spot was subsequently opened at a safer distance for tourists.
That same year, powerful waves from a tropical storm eroded the rocks at the base of the arch. The NPS stated that the recent total collapse is part of the natural evolution of the coastline.
Over the course of more than five centuries, the impact of salty ocean water and relentless waves had hollowed out the lava rock from within. It is a natural law that such “sea arches”—formed through geological processes—will eventually erode completely.
The Hōlei Sea Arch was a favorite spot for tourists and photographers visiting Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Shortly after the NPS announced the news of the arch’s collapse, thousands of tourists expressed their sadness by sharing photos and memories from their past visits on social media.