Famous New Mexico rock formation destroyed after torrential El Niño rains

Officials expected to investigate whether super El Niño storms in US south-west damaged the Alien Throne spires

Undulating, gravity-defying rock spires are one of the most magical parts of the landscape of the US south-west.

But after torrential rainstorms linked to the super El Niño season, at least one famous rock formation in north-west New Mexico has been found in pieces.