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Hawaii’s centuries-old sea arch collapses into Pacific after series of rough storms
The Guardian • • general
Key Points:
- The Hōlei sea arch, a 90-foot-tall natural landmark in Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park, collapsed into the Pacific Ocean between September 23 and 27 following a period of severe storms.
- The arch, formed around 550 years ago through ocean wave erosion of ancient lava flows, had shown signs of instability for years due to tropical storms, volcanic activity, and earthquakes.
- The park had closed the original viewing area in 2020 after new cracks appeared, and heavy surf from Tropical Storm Darby that year had already damaged the arch’s lower portion.
- Hawaii has experienced an unusually high number of severe storms this year, consistent with El Niño patterns, with hurricanes Lala, Lowell, and Nolo causing widespread damage and prompting park closures.
- The National Park Service and US Geological Survey had anticipated the arch’s eventual collapse due to ongoing erosion and natural geological processes.
