Hawaii's iconic 550-year-old Hōlei Sea Arch collapses
Summary
Hawaii’s 550-year-old Hōlei Sea Arch, a large natural rock formation, collapsed into the ocean sometime between September 23 and 27. The arch had been showing signs of weakness for years due to natural erosion, earthquakes, and storms.Key Facts
- The Hōlei Sea Arch was about 90 feet (27.4 meters) tall.
- It formed around 550 years ago from lava rock.
- The arch was located in Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii’s Big Island.
- Signs of instability were noticed for years, with warnings issued in 2021 about its eventual collapse.
- A tropical storm and past earthquakes near Kīlauea volcano contributed to the damage.
- The park had closed the original viewing area in 2020 and opened a safer spot some distance away.
- The exact time of collapse is unknown but happened while the park was closed during Tropical Storm Nolo.
- The National Park Service said the collapse is part of natural changes along the coastline, and similar formations will form over time.
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