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Famous New Mexico rock formation destroyed after torrential El Niño rains
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- Torrential rainstorms linked to the super El Niño season have caused significant damage to rock spires, including the famous "Alien Throne" hoodoo in north-west New Mexico's Valley of Dreams trail, which was found broken into pieces.
- Local communities in the Four Corners region are dealing with flooding, washed-out roads, and damaged homes, with evacuations and water rescues reported in Farmington, near the affected area.
- The rock formations hold cultural significance for Indigenous residents as traditional waypoints, and local guide Kialo Winters urges visitors to respect the site by not climbing or removing stones, emphasizing the natural cycle of erosion.
- Additional damage has been reported to another formation called the "King of Wings," and authorities including the Navajo Nation and Bureau of Land Management plan to investigate the causes of the destruction.
- While other regional parks with hoodoo formations have not yet reported damage, similar natural landmarks like Hawaii’s Hōlei sea arch have also collapsed recently due to the intense storms associated with the super El Niño.
