GUAYNILLA, Puerto Rico — A famous tourist landmark and one of Puerto Rico's most cherished natural wonders collapsed after an earthquake shook the island, Nelson Torres Yordan, the mayor of Guaynilla, confirmed.
Punta Ventana, which translates to "Window Point," was a stone arch shaped like a round window located in Guayanilla along the southern coast. The rock formation was one of the island's most iconic treasures and major tourist attractions.
A 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck the island on Monday, wiping out the natural structure.
The UPRM Meteorological Laboratory shared a photo on Twitter of Punta Ventana before and after the earthquake, showing where the soaring arch once stood before its tragic collapse.
"The natural window disappears in Punta Ventana, Guayanilla," UPRM said.
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This combo of two photos shows Punta Ventana, or Window Point, in Guayanilla, Puerto Rico, before it fell at left and after it fell on the right due to an earthquake shaking the island.
A colonial church constructed in 1841 also "totally collapsed" during the earthquake, according to Yordan.
Another earthquake, this one measuring 6.4, and several other strong tremors struck Puerto Rico on Tuesday, killing at least one man and injuring several others. Tuesday's quake — the strongest and most damaging of a series of quakes that have hit the island since Dec. 28 — moved Gov. Wanda Vázquez Garced to declare a state of emergency, activating the Puerto Rico National Guard.
It's likely the most damaging quake to hit the island since 1918.
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Puerto Rico earthquake
A Puerto Rican flag hangs within the rubble after it was placed there where store owners and family help remove supplies from Ely Mer Mar hardware store, which partially collapsed after an earthquake struck Guanica, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. A 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck Puerto Rico before dawn on Tuesday, killing one man, injuring others and collapsing buildings in the southern part of the island. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti)
Punta Ventana
This combo of photos shows Punta Ventana, or Window Point, in Guayanilla, Puerto Rico on Jan. 27, 2019, top, before it fell, and after it fell on Jan. 6, 2020, due to an earthquake. (Edgar Gracia Portello via AP, top, and AP Photo by Jorge A Ramirez Portela, bottom)
Puerto Rico earthquake
Amir Seneriz, president of the Logia Aurora Organization, inspects damages after an earthquake struck Puerto Rico before dawn in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti)
Puerto Rico earthquake
Debris from a collapsed wall of a building litters the ground after an earthquake struck Puerto Rico before dawn in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti)
Puerto Rico earthquake
Seniors who live at a nursing home sit outside their residence after they were evacuated due to an earthquake in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti)
Puerto Rico earthquake
The Immaculate Concepcion Catholic church lies in ruins after an overnight earthquake in Guayanilla, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti)
Puerto Rico earthquake
The Immaculate Concepcion Catholic church lies in ruins after an overnight earthquake in Guayanilla, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti)
Puerto Rico earthquake
The Immaculate Concepcion Catholic church lies in ruins after an overnight earthquake in Guayanilla, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti)
Puerto Rico earthquake
The Immaculate Concepcion Catholic church lies in ruins after an overnight earthquake in Guayanilla, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti)
Puerto Rico earthquake
A home is damaged after an earthquake struck Guanica, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti)
Puerto Rico earthquake
People help shop owners remove supplies from Ely Mer Mar hardware store, which partially collapsed after an earthquake struck Guanica, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti)
Puerto Rico earthquake
Men move a car stalled outside Ely Mer Mar hardware store, which partially collapsed after an earthquake struck Guanica, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti)
Puerto Rico earthquake
Homes are damaged after an earthquake struck Guanica, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti)
Puerto Rico earthquake_
Store owners and family help remove supplies from Ely Mer Mar hardware store, which partially collapsed after an earthquake struck Guanica, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti)
Puerto Rico earthquake
Homes are damaged after an earthquake struck Guanica, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti)
Puerto Rico earthquake
The Adripina Seda public school stands partially collapsed after an earthquake struck Guanica, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti)
Puerto Rico earthquake
The Adripina Seda public school stands partially collapsed after an earthquake struck Guanica, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti)
Puerto Rico earthquake
The Adripina Seda public school stands partially collapsed after an earthquake struck Guanica, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti)
Puerto Rico earthquake
Afraid of aftershocks, Maribel Rivera Silva rests outside a shelter after an earthquake in Guanica, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti)
Punta Ventana
This combo of two photos shows Punta Ventana, or Window Point, in Guayanilla, Puerto Rico, before it fell at left and after it fell on the right due to an earthquake shaking the island.
Puerto Rico earthquake
A collapsed building is seen with a car crushed underneath following an earthquake in Yauco, Puerto Rico, Tuesday Jan. 7, 2020. All the occupants of the home are reported to be not injured. (J. Miguel Santiago Twitter via AP)
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