Memorial Rock: Boulder of Near-Death

Dolores, Colorado

On May 24, 2019 -- the start of Memorial Day Weekend -- a 8.5-million-pound sandstone boulder broke loose, rolled 1,000 feet down a hill, plowed a 15-foot-wide trench through Colorado Highway 145, and came to rest in a field on the other side. Even though Highway 145 is a heavily-traveled road, no one was injured and only one vehicle was dented.

Geologists theorized that heavy rains and a nearby small earthquake had been enough to jiggle the rock loose.

The state estimated that it would cost $200,000 to blow up the rock, so instead it was left in place, christened "Memorial Rock," and became a tourist attraction. Colorado's governor visited the site to dedicate the rock's official "Point of Interest" highway sign, although drivers are still discouraged from stopping to take pictures.