Hawaii's 550-year-old Hōlei Sea Arch Collapses

Hawaii's Hōlei Sea Arch, a lava rock formation estimated to be 550 years old, has collapsed into the sea within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The arch is believed to have fallen sometime last weekend, possibly during the passage of Tropical Storm Nolo.

This collapse represents the latest transformation of the park's remote and rugged coastline. The park service noted that earthquakes during the 2018 Kīlauea volcano eruption and summit collapse had previously damaged the cliffs near the arch.

In January 2020, new cracks and instability led the park to close the original viewing area for the arch. A few months later, a new viewing area was opened at a safer distance. Waves from a tropical storm later that year also contributed to the erosion, breaking off a chunk of rock from the bottom of the arch.

Park officials had previously acknowledged the ephemeral nature of such formations. In 2021, the park service stated, "This formation is beautiful, but temporary, and has a limited life span. The sea arch will eventually crumble into the sea. However, others will replace it as the cliff slowly migrates inland."

The collapse has prompted a wave of reactions on social media, with thousands of people sharing memories and photos of the Hōlei Sea Arch. Many users expressed reflections on the transient nature of geological formations and beauty. The National Park Service's social media post announcing the arch's demise saw numerous comments from visitors who had experienced the landmark firsthand.