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The Hōlei Sea Arch in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park collapsed into the Pacific Ocean more than 500 years after it formed. The arch was standing on Sept. 23 but was gone when the park reopened on Sept. 28.
The Hōlei Sea Arch in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park collapsed into the Pacific Ocean, the National Park Service confirmed. The arch had stood for roughly 550 years.
The collapse was discovered after the park reopened. The arch was still standing on Wednesday, Sept. 23, when the park temporarily closed during Tropical Storm Nolo. When the park reopened on Monday, Sept. 28, the arch was gone. The exact time of the collapse is unknown.
Hōlei Sea Arch's Volcanic Origins
Hōlei Sea Arch stood about 90 feet (27 metres) tall on the southern coast of the Big Island. The Big Island is the largest and youngest island of the Hawaiian chain. The arch formed around 550 years ago. The arch was created when ancient lava flow from one of the island's six volcanoes hit the cliff edges and carved the vault.
The result was a natural marvel that drew visitors to the spot for many years. The formation was beautiful but temporary. Volcanoes National Park announced the collapse on social media Thursday. Yes, it's true.
RIP Hōlei Sea Arch, the park said in posts on Facebook and Instagram. The posts included before-and-after photographs revealing a stark shift in the scenery. Hōlei Sea Arch was a very special place to so many of our visitors, the park added. The wild and remote coastline's dramatic transformation had long been expected, according to NPS.
How Differential Erosion Reshaped Hawaii's Coast
The formation had a limited life span. This formation is beautiful, but temporary, and has a limited life span, NPS said in a description of the beauty spot on its website. The sea arch will eventually crumble into the sea.
However, others will replace it as the cliff slowly migrates inland. NPS said the cliff's lifespan was determined by differential erosion. This is a process whereby softer rock is worn away faster than stronger, more resistant rock. Landscapes are routinely reshaped through differential erosion.
Differential erosion is how the arch came to be more than five centuries ago. Park staff knew the incessant battering of waves against the sea arch would eventually cause it to crumble into the Pacific. They were not able to predict exactly when this would happen. Volcanoes National Park urged visitors to keep their distance from the unstable cliff edges.
This is to avoid putting themselves, or first responders, in danger. The park service confirmed the collapse and shared the news with the public. The Hōlei Sea Arch was formed roughly 550 years ago. It was a major landmark on Hawaii's rugged coastline.
The arch collapsed into the Pacific Ocean after more than 500 years.
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CTVToronto:This story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
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