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Sliding Rocks Bemuse Scientists

Posted by kdawson on from the no-footprints dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Scientists can't figure out why these rocks — weighing up to several hundred pounds each — slide across a dry lake bed. The leading theory proposes that wind moves the rocks after a rain when the lake bed consists of soft and very slippery mud.

14 of 433 comments (clear)

  1. Mark Newman Poster by stoolpigeon · · Score: 5, Informative

    Mark Newman has a very nice sliding rock poster with a good shot of rock and trail in a variety of sizes.

    --
    It's hard to believe that's how Micronians are made. Why don't we see it right now by having you both kiss one another?
    1. Re:Mark Newman Poster by vought · · Score: 5, Funny

      It sounds like fun, and it would only take a few years to get results. Compared to raising children the cost is low and the results are fast. I agree. You do it.
  2. It's a Horta! by loftwyr · · Score: 5, Funny

    I saw this on TV once! It was this documentary about these very things! They're called Hortas and their intelligent. Apparently they can be taught to mine.

    1. Re:It's a Horta! by sokoban · · Score: 5, Funny

      Yes, and though the flow of water surrounding these things can be directed, these Horta do not readily absorb moisture.

      Thus, you can lead a Horta water, but you can't make it drink.

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      09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0 is the magic number.
  3. So this is... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...nature's version of desert curling?

  4. Answer on page 42 ... by foobsr · · Score: 5, Interesting

    ... literally:
    Quote: "Research of the Racetrack has continued. In the April 1997 GPS World, Paula Messina, Phil Stoffer and Keith C. Clarke reported a GPS study they conducted of the Racetrack. In ten days of intense field work they mapped every featured of the playa using differential GPS to produce, "the first-ever, complete, georeferenced, submeter-resolution map of the wandering rocks." (Messina, 1997, p. 42)"
    http://sophia.smith.edu/~lfletche/deathvalley.html

    But it seems they have no real conclusion too.

    What about 'The Force"?

    CC.

    --
    TaijiQuan (Huang, 5 loosenings)
    1. Re:Answer on page 42 ... by orclevegam · · Score: 5, Funny

      GAH! MY EYES!!! Put a warning on that link, geez.

      --
      Curiosity was framed, Ignorance killed the cat.
  5. Isn't it obvious yet? by CitznFish · · Score: 5, Funny

    These stones don't want to gather any moss.

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    'mmmmmmmmm.... forbidden donut'
  6. I am pretty sure ... by Culture · · Score: 5, Funny

    ... that the rocks slide because the lateral forces exerted on the rocks exceed the static and dynamic frictional force cause by the gravity induced weight of the rock acting across the mud-rock interface. I guess I could be wrong and there are worm-holes involved.

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    ----- There are two kinds of people in this world, my friend; those with loaded guns, and those who dig.
  7. One thing I know for sure by mcg1969 · · Score: 5, Funny

    is that posting this article in Slashdot is sure to produce a definitive solution to the mystery...
    or rather, 100 of them.

  8. Silly scientists... by VE3MTM · · Score: 5, Funny

    Clearly the Flying Spaghetti Monster is moving them with his Noodly Appendage.

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    09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0 Whoops, silly middle mouse button...
  9. Re:Global Warming by AlamedaStone · · Score: 5, Funny

    because teutonic plate theory was just too crazy to accept...
     
    ... although it replaced the even more silly Gaulish plate theory, quickly discarded by history.

    --
    "All these years believing you're the signified monkey, only to find out you're just a big hunk of nobody cares."
  10. One possibilty by edwardpickman · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I'd be curious if the under sides of the sliding sliding stones were concave? Why I mention it is I still remember a certain chinese restaurant's tea cups had a habit of sliding across the table. The table tops were resin coated and the concave cups tended to capture moisture under them so when the tea heated the moisture under the cup the expansion provided enough lift to break the friction and allow them to slide. They would move randomly in different directions then stop for a few minutes then slide again. Since the area is hot a unique combination of heated rocks with slippery mud and wind could in combination cause the effect. I remember that some rocks slid and others didn't as well as the direction changes.

  11. Re:Begs the question by fbjon · · Score: 5, Insightful
    It still seems strange. The place is really dry, meaning there's lots of sun. Just make a small package with a GPS receiver, some simple weather instruments, a radio uplink to a nearby relay, a small camera and a solar panel with battery. If the GPS detects any movement, or the weather instruments detect any drastic changes, turn on all other stuff and start piping data to the relay, which passes it on by whatever means.

    If anybody steals the package, it'll sound an alert and record who took it, and where they're taking it.

    --
    True confidence comes not from realising you are as good as your peers, but that your peers are as bad as you are.