Tracking the rolling stones of Racetrack Playa
By: Shannon Dybvig
It's the time of year when the sailing stones of Racetrack Playa in California's Death Valley are on the move. Probably. No one has actually seen these huge rocks move along the flat, dry lake bed. But, we know they do. Sometime, when no one's looking, usually after freezing weather or heavy wind or rain, the rocks up and scoot themselves leaving unmistakable travel grooves in their wake. Extremely patient scientists studying the wanderliths have concluded that wetter winter weather plays a role in the stone rolling, but they're still not exactly sure how it all works. Take a look at these slow-motion stones below.