2 Big Island lava benches
collapsed into sea this week

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Star-Bulletin staff

HILO >> Nearly 27 acres of new Big Island shoreline collapsed into the ocean at the beginning of this week in a pair of "bench collapses," the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said.

Sightseers reported two people illegally hiked onto a bench shortly before one collapse, said observatory head Don Swanson.

No abandoned car was found at the end of Chain of Craters Road, indicating the two apparently returned safely to their car, he said.

The multiacre benches are created by lava flowing on top of older sand and rock rubble. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park posts signs warning against walking on the unstable benches.

The first collapse took place Sunday, Swanson said, and the second occurred Sunday or early Monday.

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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park