The Sliding Rocks of Racetrack Playa

When I was a kid, I read in a book about rocks in Death Valley that appeared to move around on their own.

It was pretty cool stuff to a young guy about seven years old. Soon, however, i forgot about it.

Then, years later, i saw a magazine article about the same subject. Lots of pictures, lots of theories about why these rocks, some of which weighed hundreds of pounds, managed to move across the desert plain and leave traisl carved in the dirt. But NO actual observances of the phenomenon taking place.

Well, here it is many years later. It's the 21st century. Certainly scientists have figured out the sliding rocks of Racetrack Playa by now!

Think again.

Today's FamilyFirst pick is a very funkily designed site called The Sliding Rocks of Racetrack Playa. There is, amid the primitive site structure, a tremendous amount of scientific research.

For instance, many rocks, individually named, are photographed and tracked via GPS.

The conclusion of the researcher?

No clue as to what makes these amazing rocks move around.

Have fun checking out the photos and charts.

Maybe some day man will finally figure out how these rocks move.

http://geosun.sjsu.edu/paula/rtp/intro.html

Digg It! It's Del.icio.us! Furl It!