JASON LUX / COURTESY OF NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Onlookers watched
Thursday as 16 acres of the East Lae'apuki Delta at Hawaii
Volcanoes National Park collapsed into the ocean, sending up
large plumes of steam and debris. CLICK FOR LARGE 16 acres of
volcanoes coastline collapses into sea Steam plumes shoot as
high as a thousand feet, raining black sand on visitors miles
away About 40 visitors to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
witnessed an uncommon event when about 16 acres of coastline
collapsed into the ocean. The Thursday afternoon lava-bench
collapse happened about two miles from the nearest public
viewing spot. Park visitors saw steam and rocks shoot up from
the collapse area as the coastline gave way over about four
hours. "It was very impressive. There were a lot of oohs and
aahs," said park ranger Arnold Nakata. Fist-size rocks were
thrown as far as 450 feet inland, and one rock 14 inches in
diameter was found 394 feet inland, officials said. COURTESY OF
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE The red circle shows the area