Overview
- Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park confirmed that the roughly 90-foot Hōlei Sea Arch has collapsed, disappearing sometime between Sept. 23 and when the park reopened on Sept. 28.
- The arch formed about 550 years ago from lava flows and stood as a popular stop at the end of Chain of Craters Road.
- Officials and USGS scientists say the collapse resulted from differential erosion that was worsened by earthquake damage and recent storm-driven surf.
- The park posted before-and-after photos on social media and warned that people entering closed cliff areas put themselves and first responders at risk.
- Park managers say the loss was expected, note that coastal features are temporary, and expect ongoing changes to visitor access and the shoreline that could affect tourism and safety planning.