A 500-year-old lava arch suddenly disappeared into the ocean waves on the coast of Hawaii
The natural sea arch of Hōlei, which had towered over Thái Bình Dương for about 550 years, has completely collapsed on the southern shore of đảo Hawaii (Big Island). As of September 23, the 27-meter-high rock formation of ancient lava was still intact, but after passing bão Nolo, park officials discovered that the monument had disappeared into the water.
Experts say the rock structure has been gradually eroding over the years due to earthquakes, the activity of a nearby volcano Kīlauea, and strong surf. Back in 2020, the observation post was pushed about 300 meters inland due to cracks in the rocks pāhoehoe, and a tropical storm that same year knocked fragments from the base of the arch.
The reserve administration warns that the steep coastal cliffs remain extremely unstable and could collapse at any moment. The park is also currently closed Đường mòn Kīpukapuaulu due to trees and a bridge on the Sulphur Banks route broken by the storm, while scientists are simultaneously recording signs of a new eruption at the summit Kīlauea.
Context
Founded in 1916, Công viên Quốc gia Núi lửa Hawaii covers an area of over 135,000 hectares and extends from the ocean coastline to an altitude of almost four thousand meters. It is home to two famous volcanoes: Kīlauea, one of the most active on the planet, and Mauna Loa, the largest active terrestrial volcano in the world.