Hōlei Sea Arch in Hawaii collapses into the Pacific Ocean

The Hōlei Sea Arch, a prominent 90-foot-tall volcanic rock formation in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, has collapsed into the Pacific Ocean. The National Park Service (NPS) confirmed the landmark, which was approximately 550 years old, disappeared between September 23 and September 27. The exact timing of the collapse is unknown, though it likely occurred while the park was temporarily closed due to Tropical Storm Nolo.

The collapse was anticipated by geologists and park officials due to long-term instability. The surrounding cliffs had been weakened by several factors, including earthquakes from the 2018 Kīlauea volcanic eruption, new cracks identified in 2020, and heavy surf from Tropical Storm Darby in late 2020. The arch was formed through differential erosion of ancient lava flows.

Authorities have issued warnings to the public to stay away from the coastal cliff edges, which remain highly unstable and prone to vertical collapse. The NPS noted that social media images show some visitors entering restricted areas, posing significant risks of falling and drowning in the rough, wave-swept waters.