Storms Topple Landmarks in New Mexico as Flooding Damages Southwest
Heavy rains from late October through early November caused two famous rock formations to collapse and resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in damage across four states.
By Anthony Lawson ·
Two natural landmarks in northwestern New Mexico are gone after weeks of heavy rain and flooding. The Alien Throne and the nearby King of Wings formation collapsed, ending their existence as distinct geological features that had drawn tourists and photographers for years. The collapse occurred in the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness, a remote area where wind and water had slowly sculpted the rock over long periods.
Experts estimate that more than 20 trillion gallons of rain fell across New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada during late October and early November. Tropical moisture funneled into the region saturated ground that was already wet from a heavy fall. This saturation caused rivers to crest and pushed floodwaters through dry washes, eroding the landscape and damaging infrastructure. Officials currently estimate the total damage across the affected areas could reach hundreds of millions of dollars.
Kialo Winters, founder of Navajo Tours USA, discovered the collapse of the Alien Throne on October 30. He had not visited the site for two weeks due to poor road conditions. When he rounded a bend and saw the formation in pieces, he described the moment as surreal. He said he had to pause and process the change. The nearby King of Wings formation collapsed earlier in early October, with visitors documenting the large slab of rock lying on the ground near its base.
For many visitors, the loss is a reminder of the impermanence of natural structures. Alan Studt, a visitor from Parma, Ohio, noted that he had seen signs of weathering during his previous trips. He observed new holes in the throne and cracks along the base of the wings. He said it was not a surprise that the formations would not last forever. Social media reactions ranged from gratitude for having seen the sites to mourning for those who had not.
The formations hold deep cultural significance for Native Americans in the region. Winters explained that the sites have served as waypoints for ancestors traveling trade routes for thousands of years. They are also part of stories passed down through generations. He stated that the formations are culturally relevant to regional identity and that their legacies will continue through photographs and shared stories. He asked visitors to let the sites rest, urging them not to climb the remaining rocks or take pieces home.
Cleanup efforts are underway as water levels recede. Many dirt roads on the Navajo Nation became impassable or were washed away by the storm fronts. Winters remains concerned for relatives in the area who depend on these routes. The collapse of these specific rock formations is part of a wider pattern of erosion and damage caused by the recent series of massive storms in the southwestern United States.
The area is accessible only via a rutted, washboard dirt road, making it a destination for those seeking remote landscapes. Visitors have described the experience as magical, noting the petrified wood and colorful soils. The loss of the Alien Throne and King of Wings marks a tangible change to the environment, driven by the same natural forces that created them.
