Alien Throne Hoodoo Collapses on Navajo Land
The rock formation in New Mexico's Valley of Dreams broke down as storms swept San Juan County, though its exact cause has not been confirmed.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Natural Disasters
Alien Throne, a hoodoo rock formation in the Valley of Dreams on Navajo Nation land in San Juan County, collapsed, with its topmost portion now lying on the ground beside the base. The breakdown was noticed by Navajo Tours USA owner Kialo Winters during a tour on October 30.
Why it matters
The formation is estimated to be over 75 million years old, making its loss a significant change to a landmark in northwestern New Mexico. The collapse comes after multiple rounds of storms brought heavy flooding to San Juan County over the past two weekends.
Winters last saw the formation fully standing on October 18 and noticed its breakdown on October 30, a window of 12 days. Estimates place the formation at over 75 million years old, though the exact cause of the collapse remains unconfirmed.
The players
Kialo Winters
Owner of Navajo Tours USA, who noticed the collapse while leading a tour and has guided visitors through the Valley of Dreams.
The details
Winters noticed the breakdown at about 1 p.m. while leading a tour, and photos of the collapse were taken on Friday afternoon. The topmost portion of the formation now rests on the ground next to the base of the landmark.
Timeline
October 18: Winters last saw Alien Throne fully standing.
October 30: Winters noticed the formation's breakdown at about 1 p.m. during a tour.
October 31: Photos of the collapse were taken on Friday afternoon.
Seasonal Patterns
Hoodoo formations across the Colorado Plateau are shaped by long-term erosion, and their failures often follow periods of heavy rain and runoff. The collapse of Alien Throne fits that pattern, following the multiple storm systems that brought flooding to San Juan County this fall.
Visitors planning trips to the Valley of Dreams should check current conditions before heading out, since flooding and unstable terrain followed recent storms. Anyone traveling in San Juan County should monitor official advisories and avoid driving through flood-affected areas.
The takeaway
Natural features such as the Alien Throne can change suddenly after heavy weather, so checking conditions before visiting fragile landmarks helps protect both visitors and the sites themselves.
Further reading
Explore more reporting on Natural Disasters to see how storms and erosion have affected New Mexico's landscapes.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KRQE 13.
