Huge stones move on their own: scientists reveal the mysterious secret of Death Valley

A unique natural phenomenon is taking place in Death Valley National Park in California: giant boulders weighing up to 320 kg move on their own. This mysterious phenomenon remained unsolved for a long time, but in 2014, scientists found out its nature using GPS trackers and time-lapse cameras.

The study, published in PLOS One, was the first to record the movement of the stones. It turned out that in winter, a thin layer of ice (3-6 mm) forms at the bottom of a dried lake. When the ice begins to melt under the influence of the sun, and a light wind pushes the ice floes, they push the stones forward. IFLScience writes about this.

Recorded cases have shown that boulders move at a speed of 2-5 meters per minute, and once 60 stones moved simultaneously, covering up to 224 meters. This is a real "rock rally" that leaves long traces in the desert.

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