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One of Hawaii's most iconic tourist attractions, a 27-meter-tall sea arch, has disappeared into the ocean.

The Holei Sea Arch located at the southern end of the Big Island in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. National Park Service (NPS)

On October 2 (local time), CNN reported that the Holei Sea Arch, which was located at the southern end of Hawaii's Big Island in Volcanoes National Park, recently collapsed.

This arch was formed 550 years ago when lava from the Big Island volcano solidified into basalt, and then waves gradually carved it into shape. Resembling an elephant’s trunk or a leg, it had become beloved by tourists.

The exact timing of the collapse has not been confirmed. However, it was known to still be standing until September 23, but was found to have disappeared by the night of the 27th. This coincided with a period when Hurricane Nolo struck southern Big Island and led to the temporary closure of the national park. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, announcing the news, mourned, “Rest in peace, Holei Arch.”

The collapsed view of Holei Sea Arch located at the southern end of Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii. National Park Service (NPS)

Some have pointed out that the collapse of the sea arch was inevitable. When the Kilauea volcano erupted in 2018 and triggered earthquakes, the surrounding cliffs near the Holei Arch were also damaged. As a result, the national park closed the original arch viewing platform in 2020 and built a new one farther away from the cliffs. Additionally, tropical storms caused large waves, which broke off rocks from the lower part of the arch.

In 2021, the National Park Service (NPS) stated, “This landform is beautiful but has a limited lifespan,” adding, “The sea arch will eventually collapse into the sea, and another arch will take its place.” When the Holei Sea Arch was formed, softer rocks eroded much faster and more intensely than the harder, more resistant rocks—a process called differential erosion—indicating that the landscape will be continuously reshaped through such processes.

One online user responded to the news, “Nothing and no one lasts forever,” adding, “Cherish the good and beautiful things in this moment.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.