Hōlei Sea Arch Collapses in Hawaii After 550 Years of Ocean Erosion, National Park Service Says

The Hōlei Sea Arch, a popular natural landmark at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii’s Big Island, has collapsed after centuries of erosion by the Pacific Ocean. The National Park Service said the 90-foot sea arch collapsed sometime between September 23 and September 28, around the time Tropical Storm Nolo brought large swells to the coast.

The exact timing of the collapse remains unknown. According to the National Park Service, the arch may have fallen while the park was temporarily closed during the storm.

The Hōlei Sea Arch was formed from lava flows estimated to be around 550 years old. Over centuries, ocean waves gradually eroded weaker sections of the basalt, creating the distinctive bow-shaped formation.

Hawaii’s Hōlei Sea Arch Collapses After Centuries of Pacific Ocean Erosion

The National Park Service said the collapse was not entirely unexpected. The 2018 Kīlauea eruption caused significant ground shaking and damaged cliffs near the arch. New cracks were detected around the feature in early 2020, prompting officials to move the viewing area farther away from the edge. Newport Beach Rescue: Lifeguards Save 2 Kids Buried Waist-Deep After Sand Hole Collapses Near Pier in California, Video Goes Viral.

Later in 2020, powerful surf from Tropical Storm Darby broke off part of the lower section of the arch.

The U.S. Geological Survey has described the Hōlei Sea Arch as a product of differential erosion, in which ocean waves gradually remove rock along cracks and weaker sections of basalt. Texas: Bunk Bed Suddenly Collapses on Kids, Sister Rushes to Save Trapped Brother; Terrifying Video Surfaces.

Following the collapse, the National Park Service has warned visitors not to approach the unstable coastal cliffs to view the remains. Officials said the cliffs drop vertically into the ocean and pose a serious risk of falling and drowning.

The park service also cautioned visitors against getting too close to the eroding coastline, noting that such behaviour could put both visitors and first responders at risk.

The collapse marks the end of a natural formation that had been shaped by volcanic activity and centuries of interaction between lava rock and the Pacific Ocean.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 03, 2026 01:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).