[Discovery] Sliding Rocks

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guyabano

guyabano

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One of the most interesting mysteries of Death Valley National Park is the sliding rocks at Racetrack Playa (a playa is a dry lake bed). These rocks can be found on the floor of the playa with long trails behind them. Somehow these rocks slide across the playa, cutting a furrow in the sediment as they move.


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yes, this is a fascinating thing. i was there a few years ago, but didn't get to see any rocks going for a stroll. that would really be something to see!
 
From what I understand is nobody has ever actually seen the rocks move, the best explanation I have ever heard is that the prevailing winds are blowing the sand and it behind the rocks it piles up along side a line the corresponds to the low pressure area protected by the rock. Very similiar to the wind pattern you see over an airplane wing, which can be made visible with smoke. Here it is made visible with sand particles.

Similar to this but on both sides and not just on the top.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CYUuBiW_lY[/media]
 
and what about 'Microvibrations' which could make the stone move ? Could that be a theory?
 
guyabano said:
and what about 'Microvibrations' which could make the stone move ? Could that be a theory?
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:sl:
But it is so obvious that they have legs! How else could they have left such perfect sets of invisible footprints!?
:D
:w:
 
guyabano said:
and what about 'Microvibrations' which could make the stone move ? Could that be a theory?
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That is a possibility, but I tend to doubt that would leave such well defined tracks.

If the rocks really do move the best theory seems to be it is caused by the wind. The second most plausible theaory is the rocks do not move, it is the sand that is blown into the track pattern.

I do not think there will be anything conclusive until somebody photographs what is happening as it happens.
 
Woodrow said:
If the rocks really do move the best theory seems to be it is caused by the wind. The second most plausible theaory is the rocks do not move, it is the sand that is blown into the track pattern.
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:sl:
Legs must be included in the list of viable theories of how the rocks move.

Contary to popular belief, legists do not think that rocks have two great big pairs of human legs, the real explanation is that they have a set of many tiny legs much like a millipede. This would account for the smoothness of the trail of footprints...
:w:
 
The last theory that I heard was that the strong winds mixed with slippery soil after a rain, combine to push the rocks for the duration of the wind. Of course, that would be strange since this phenomenon doesn't occur in other parts of the world as far as I know. Just one of the wonders of the natural world I guess.
 

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