550-Year-Old Landmark Collapses Overnight in Hawaii

A 27-meter-tall sea arch, long celebrated as a landmark in Hawaii, USA, has collapsed into the ocean.

CNN reported on October 2 (local time) that the Holei Sea Arch, located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park at the southern tip of the Big Island, recently collapsed.

Formed when lava flowing from a Big Island volcano solidified into basalt 550 years ago and was subsequently eroded by waves, the arch has long been loved by tourists for its resemblance to an elephant's trunk or a bridge.

While the exact time of the collapse remains unconfirmed, it was verified to have existed until September 23 and disappeared by the night of September 27.


This period coincided with the temporary closure of the park as Hurricane Lane struck the southern part of the Big Island.

Sharing the news, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park expressed sorrow, saying, "Yes, it is true. Rest in peace, Holei Arch."

The collapse of the sea arch was a forewarned disaster.

When the Kilauea volcano erupted in 2018, triggering earthquakes, the cliffs surrounding the Holei Arch were also damaged.

Consequently, park officials closed the existing arch viewing area in 2020 and built a new, safer viewpoint further away from the cliff.

Additionally, high waves caused by tropical storms have repeatedly stripped away rocks from the base of the arch.

The National Park Service (NPS) had previously predicted in 2021, saying, "While this landform is beautiful, its lifespan is limited. Sea arches will eventually collapse into the sea, and another arch will take its place."

(Photo: Captured from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park SNS, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.