The Sliding Rocks of Death Valley

One of the most interesting mysteries of Death Valley National Park is the sliding rocks at the Racetrack Playa dry lake bed. These rocks can be found on the floor of the playa with long trails behind them. Somehow these rocks slide across the playa, cutting a furrow in the sediment as they move.

Some of these rocks weigh several hundred pounds, so how do they move? All of the best explanations involve wind as the energy source behind the movement of the rocks. The question remains is do they slide while encased in an ice sheet or do they simply side over the surface of the mud?

Geology.com