Did you know: about Racetrack Playa, located in Death Valley?
Racetrack Playa, located in Death Valley National Park, is a dry lake bed where rocks appear to "wander" across the surface, leaving behind visible trails, giving the impression that they are moving on their own; this phenomenon is often referred to as "sailing stones.". Key points about Racetrack Playa: Location: Death Valley National Park, California Feature: A dry lake bed, also called a "playa" Mystery: The rocks, some quite large, leave tracks across the flat surface, but the exact mechanism behind their movement was a mystery for a long time. Recent discovery: Scientists now believe that a combination of rain, ice, and wind is responsible for the rocks' movement.
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I have seen miniature forms in shallow pools, casued simply by ice being blown across the surface scraping the mud below them; but I'd never thought the effect could be powerful enough to move boulders.
