MYSTERIOUS MOVING ROCKS IN DEATH VALLEY

At 85.95 meters (282 ft) below sea level in one of the hottest and most remote regions of the world, a strange phenomenon has been occurring in Death Valley. On the Racetrack Playa (a dried out lake-bed), mysterious rocks seem to be moving at their own discretion, leaving trails in the dry sediment behind them. Many of these trails extend well over 250 meters (≈820 ft) and some of the rocks weigh well over 10 kg (≈22 lbs). One of the largest rocks, nicknamed Karen, is even estimated to weigh over 315 kg (≈700 lbs). Many of the rocks' paths cross one another, change directions at sharp angles, and seem to have minds of their own.

This mystery has been studied since before the 1940’s and there have been many proposed explanations as to why it even occurs. The theory that the rocks are being moved by either people or some other animal has been widely dismissed by researchers because of no disturbed soil surrounding the rocks or trails in addition to an overwhelming lack of evidence.

One possible explanation for this bizarre occurrence is that strong desert winds push the rocks in small intervals over many years. However, some of the heavier rocks would require wind speeds that exceed 240 kmph (≈149 mph); speeds much higher than the highest wind velocities of Death Valley which clock in at around 145 kmph (≈90 mph).

Another popular theory that has been proposed suggests that collected rainwater is what is moving the rocks. Although the area is known to receive only about 5.08 cm (2 in) of precipitation per year, water does collect in the playa when it rains. This muddies the soil and could potentially slide the rocks across the playa surface. This theory is even more popular when the force of wind is incorporated into the mix. With a muddy surface and less friction, the documented wind velocities could possibly move the rocks across the surface.

Others have proposed that ice sheets formed on the soil's surface could be moving the rocks. Ice sheets that form in the winter could freeze around the rocks and trap them within. Then, with strong enough winds, the entire ice sheet could be pushed which would drag the rocks with them. Though this is another plausible theory, the moving ice would most likely leave behind other carvings and scars in the ground; none of which have yet been discovered.

With all this said, still to this day no one has ever seen these rocks move with their own eyes and the answer is still unknown. Whatever the reason may be, this ongoing mystery has captivated the minds and attention of scientists, science enthusiasts, and even some conspiracy theorists for over 70 years now and the list of theories and hypotheses continues to grow. Until the real truth is discovered, we can only speculate our own theories, ponder our own ideas, and enjoy the mysterious beauty that rests behind it all.

MYSTERIOUS MOVING ROCKS IN DEATH VALLEY