Hawaii’s centuries-old sea arch collapses into Pacific after series of rough storms
Summary
A famous sea arch in Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park collapsed into the ocean after several strong storms hit the area recently. The 90-foot tall natural rock formation had stood for about 550 years but showed signs of weakening due to erosion, earthquakes, and big waves before it finally fell.Key Facts
- The Hōlei sea arch was about 90 feet tall and located on the southern coast of Hawaii’s Big Island.
- It was formed around 550 years ago by ocean waves eroding weaker parts of ancient lava rock.
- The arch collapsed sometime between September 23 and September 27, 2024, after storms including Tropical Storm Nolo.
- The National Park Service had already closed nearby viewing areas in 2020 due to cracks and safety concerns.
- Earthquakes from the 2018 Kīlauea volcanic eruption damaged cliffs near the arch.
- Multiple strong storms hit Hawaii recently, including Hurricanes Lala, Lowell, and Nolo.
- The increased storm activity is linked to an El Niño weather pattern causing more Pacific storms.
- Climate change, driven by fossil fuel burning, is making storms stronger and more frequent during El Niño years.
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