Photo: Sean Pavone / iStock / Getty Images
A pair of iconic rock formations in northwestern New Mexico—long celebrated as landmarks in the desert—have collapsed following weeks of intense rain and widespread flooding across the southwestern United States. The destruction comes as the region endures what one expert described as a "once-in-a-thousand-year" weather event, fueled by what’s forecast to be the strongest El Niño on record.
The Alien Throne, a hoodoo near the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness, and the King of Wings formation both toppled in late October, as confirmed by tour guide Kialo Winters. On Friday (October 30), Winters, founder of Navajo Tours USA, came upon the fallen Alien Throne during a routine outing, later sharing that "it’s a heavy loss for all of us. It’s felt across the photography and tourism community, and just as deeply here at home for us Indigenous locals." The King of Wings, famous for its striking 20-foot stone "diving board," is believed to have collapsed on or before October 9, based on visitor photos and social media reports.
Relentless storms dropped more than 20 trillion gallons of rain across the Four Corners states and Nevada throughout late October and early November, flooding rivers, washing out roads, and damaging homes. In many parts of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona, the land was already saturated from an unusually wet fall, worsening the impact.
The collapse of these structures highlights the fragile nature of such geological wonders. Both the Alien Throne and King of Wings were formed from sandstone and clay over millions of years, shaped by wind, rain, and time—the same forces that ultimately caused their demise.
Authorities and park rangers at other famous southwestern landscapes—including Arches National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah—have not yet reported similar collapses, but urge visitors to avoid touching or climbing on rock formations, especially when wet, due to their increased fragility.
Cleanup efforts are underway, but local officials estimate that total damage from the storms and flooding could reach hundreds of millions of dollars. For now, residents, tourists, and Native communities alike are left reflecting on the loss of natural features that have defined the landscape—and their stories—for countless years.