The Racetrack Playa

  The Mysterious Racetrack Playa: Where Rocks Walk; Or Rocks Apparently in Motion

The Racetrack Playa: An oddity in the ground

Located in the area referred by most people as the Death Valley in the state of California in the northwestern side of the country is the Racetrack Playa. This is by far one of the flattest, driest true natural lakes one could ever find and has the ability to mesmerize any scientist or tourist. Growing to a height of 3. Average depth of 8 centimeters, Racetrack Playa is a small, flat, and closed depression with ridges around and is flooded for a short period of time throughout the year.

The true beauty of this special terrain is in the mysterious nature of what is called ‘sailing stones’ – flat stones which vary in weight from some hundreds of grams to some hundreds of kilograms with noticeable evident tracks etched upon the surface; stones that appear to move of their own accord with no sign of human or animal influence.

How Do the Sailing Stones Work?

In the geological context, Racetrack Playa benefits from the fact that it can demonstrate such an interesting phenomenon. Thus, the principle of mobility concerning the sailing stones rests with the substratum of the Playa surface. The layer on the surface of the mud is so soft until they can just slide over the surface of the ground with a lot of ease the rocks creating less friction on the ground.

The rocks in this desert undergo the physical weathering that will lead to breaking them down into smaller particles commonly referred to as fragments, and under the force of gravity, the fragments will slide downward. Owing to the smooth surface however these rock slabs are able to ‘glide’ or ‘sail’ across the playa; with no influence from an external force.

The racetrack playa and the ecosystem found there.

Geographically, the Racetrack Playa is not only an extraordinary formation; it is also a habitat containing several species specifically designed to deal with desert environment. Due to the high temperatures the area is barren, with little or no plant life, and virtually the only forms of life that can possibly exist in such an environment are microorganisms and extremophiles.

These minute organisms are extremely important of the ecosystems on the playa not only are they part of the formation of the slippery mud layer that aids in the movement of the sailing stones. This way they contribute to preserving the sensible balance in this quite vulnerable area that is influenced by such factors as wind, water, and gravity.

There are certain attractions that cannot be touched due to their archaeological importance and an obligation to maintain the unique Racetrack Playa’s extraordinary secrets.

The Racetrack Playa is one of the precious pearls of nature; there is the arena, where earthly physics and life are challenged and reinforced at the same time. Since Racetrack Playa is designated as a U. S. National Monument people interference is prohibited, which means that researchers and tourists will be able to visit it and try to solve its mysteries.

Future visits and any amount of historical study will perpetually unearth the mysteries of the Racetrack Playa as well as elucidate on the combined geological and climatic forces at work in one of this planet’s severest ecosystems as well as the peculiar characteristics of life as seen in the extremities exhibited by its inhabitants.

Exploring the Racetrack Playa

Yet for the traveler desiring to experience Racetrack Playa’s miracles with her own eyes, the trail is Not without its difficulties. The secluded nature and the extreme environment of the playa present management difficulties that has to do with accessibility. Despite this, for people who would not mind having to walk several kilometers on the sandy plains in harsh conditions, one can only marvel at the sailing stones in the act.

Regardless of the fact that you are a veteran traveler or a mere traveler, a vistor to Racetrack Playa will never disappoint you. Ranging from the size of the rocks to the mysterious motion of the stones in the DES, this structure exemplifies the strength as well as the grace of the earth.

Conclusion: Racetrack Slabs and the Geophysical Exploration of the Racetrack Playa

It is a place that most can only dream of reaching, much less studying; it is a laboratory of nature where geology and climate and life converge in a display of fantasy and enigma. The scientists and enthusiastic researchers are still working to unveil more secrets of this notable geographic feature and problem solving in relation to the process that forms our planet goes on.

If you are an adherent of the geological sciences or if you are a great nature lover then the Racetrack Playa will certainly impress you. Therefore, next time when you feel the desire to follow the enigma of the world, go to this marvellous part of California’s death valley where rocks seem to crawl and the mysteries of the earth are yet to be unraveled.

Reference

1.        Stanley, George M. (1955). "Origin of Playa Stone Tracks, Racetrack Playa, Inyo County, California". Geological Society of America Bulletin. 66 (11): 1329. Bibcode:1955GSAB...66.1329S. doi:10.1130/0016-7606(1955)66[1329:OOPSTR]2.0.CO;2. ISSN 0016-7606.

2.        Jones, Ronald; Hooke, Roger LeB. (2015). "Racetrack Playa: Rocks moved by wind alone". Aeolian Research. 19: 1–3. Bibcode:2015AeoRe..19....1J. doi:10.1016/j.aeolia.2015.08.001.

3.         Norris, Richard D.; Norris, James M.; Lorenz, Ralph D.; Ray, Jib; Jackson, Brian (2014). "Sliding Rocks on Racetrack Playa, Death Valley National Park: First Observation of Rocks in Motion". PLOS ONE. 9 (8): e105948. Bibcode:2014PLoSO...9j5948N. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0105948. PMC 4146553. PMID 25162535.

4.        Kletetschka, Gunther; Hooke, Roger LeB.; Ryan, Andrew; Fercana, George; McKinney, Emerald; Schwebler, Kristopher P. (2013). "Sliding stones of Racetrack Playa, Death Valley, USA: The roles of rock thermal conductivity and fluctuating water levels". Geomorphology. 195: 110–117. Bibcode:2013Geomo.195..110K. doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2013.04.032.

5.        Lorenz, R. D., B. Jackson and A. Hayes, "Racetrack and Bonnie Claire : Southwestern US Playa Lakes as Analogs for Ontario Lacus, Titan", Planetary and Space Science, 58, 723–31, 2010