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Sliding stone, Death Valley

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March 10, 2017

View larger. | Sliding stone in Death Valley National Park by Cat Connor. These stones really do move.

The movement of Death Valley’s sliding stones across what is called Racetrack Playa, or just the Racetrack – and the stones’ long tracks across the desert floor – are an old mystery that’s now been solved. These stones clearly do move, but, until the past few years, no one knew what caused their movement. Want to know the secret? Click here to find out, and see a video of the sliding stones in motion.

Sliding rock tracks, via PLOS ONE. — Sliding stone tracks in the Death Valley desert floor, via the journal PLOS ONE.

Bottom line: Photo of a famous Death Valley sliding stone, under a beautiful sky at Death Valley’s famous Racetrack Playa, by Cat Connor.

What causes Death Valley’s sliding stones to move?

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March 10, 2017

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Deborah Byrd

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Deborah Byrd (asteroid 3505 Byrd) helps edit EarthSky.org and is a frequent host of EarthSky videos. Deborah created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named in her honor in 1990, a Public Service Award from the National Science Board in 2003, and the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 2020. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.