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Death Valley Racetrack
#39994 08/28/14 10:39 AM
Joined: Jan 2010
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Edit: This deserves its own thread. Originally posted in the Cool Videos topic.


now we know...


Last edited by Steve C; 10/18/14 12:50 AM.
Re: Death Valley Racetrack
Fishmonger #39996 08/28/14 01:49 PM
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Ah, the Death Valley Racetrack! I knew about the ice sheets doing the deed. Since these guys were out there watching, they should have brought back pictures!

Interesting that they didn't even see the rocks moving even though after the fact they realized it had occurred. This would be a great application for a time lapse video.

Looks like a project for Sheldon Neill

More pics in the news today:
ABC News

NPR News website actually has the video of a rock in motion

Click to reveal.. (The video. Hidden because it loops immediately)
The Mysterious Moving Rock


Edit: Here's a Youtube video showing the same view:
caption:
Quote:
Published on Aug 27, 2014

Courtesy of the Slithering Stones Research Initiative, a video showing the famous sailing stones of Death Valley's Racetrack Playa in motion.

For more, visit http://www.racetrackplaya.org



Last edited by Steve C; 10/20/14 09:25 AM.
Re: Death Valley Racetrack
Steve C #40697 10/18/14 01:02 AM
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Photographer and Sierra ice skater John Dittli posted this picture on Facebook.
John's website:   John Dittli Photography

His description:
Quote:
Perhaps one of the most surreal experiences of my life.

We were fortunate to see the Racetrack frozen and I was fortunate enough to have my skates. Please note: under no circumstances should you walk on the playa when it is wet. It is clearly posted, yet idiots have been leaving foot prints out there that could take years to recover! The beauty of ice is that it is ephemeral, any traces of passing are gone by days end.




And a second one:



Another:


Re: Death Valley Racetrack
Steve C #40700 10/18/14 07:40 AM
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Explain this one...

Re: Death Valley Racetrack
SierraNevada #40701 10/18/14 08:17 AM
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Hey, looks like they DID get actual video of rocks moving, shown in this video:


Re: Death Valley Racetrack
SierraNevada #40707 10/19/14 08:52 AM
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Definitely cooler than skating on the infrequently frozen Tinicum Marsh when I was a 'ute. Hmmm...now, where are those old CCM's of mine.

Re: Death Valley Racetrack
SierraNevada #40714 10/20/14 08:03 AM
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Originally Posted By: SierraNevada
Explain this one...



The rock got into a fight with a dust devil.


Journey well...
Re: Death Valley Racetrack
Fishmonger #40716 10/20/14 10:44 AM
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Cool to see this very long standing mystery put it rest.

Now I just have to wonder about the strange physics of the wind at times. Rocks like these make me think when they are moving but doing the opposite motion with each other as they move:


Re: Death Valley Racetrack
Fishmonger #40717 10/20/14 10:53 AM
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Another website with some good pictures and videos:

EarthSky: Death Valley sliding stone mystery solved

Best picture from that site:

(click for full size)


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