The Holei Sea Arch, which withstood Pacific waves and wind for about 550 years, has collapsed. The 27-metre natural arch stood on the south coast of Hawaii's Big Island, inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
It was carved from rock laid down by a lava flow about 550 years ago. Waves pounding the coast wore away the softer parts first, opening a cave-like hollow that widened over time into an arch.
It had been weakening for years. The 2018 eruption and summit collapse of Kilauea brought earthquakes to the coast, and cracks later appeared around the arch. For safety, the old viewpoint was closed in January 2020 and a new one opened about 300 metres away that March. In July 2022 heavy surf broke a large block from the base of one pillar, and officials warned the arch could fall at any time without warning.
Park officials say the arch was intact on 23 September. storm Nolo then passed over the island, and much of the park was closed from 24 September until the early hours of 27 September. When it reopened, photographs showed the arch was gone. On 1 October the park confirmed the collapse, saying it happened by the night of 27 September.
Other sea arches stand along the south coast, but each is temporary: the rock that holds it up eventually weakens until the whole structure falls.
The report is from Bangla Tribune's feature desk.
Photo: Brian Snelson / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Source: Bangla Tribune
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