There’s something completely magical – and baffling – about these mysterious stones in Death Valley, California.
There’s no other place quite like it on earth, and scientists are still trying to understand what exactly is going on in this isolated desert basin.
These ordinary-looking stones leave long trails on the earth…and yet no one has ever seen the rocks move.
Flickr/Keith Cuddeback
The stones are large, and seem too heavy to simply be moved by the desert wind.
Flickr/James Marvin Phelps
They have been known to leave trails over 850 feet long.
Flickr/John Fowler
Additionally, the trails left behind frequently zig-zag and turn abruptly, making it appear as if the stone suddenly veered in a different direction while racing across the so-called Racetrack Playa.
Flickr/Rob Degraff
An even greater mystery is that some trails don’t have rocks. Occasionally, a particular stone will disappear and rematerialize years later in a distant location, without a trail.
Flickr/NASA Goddard
Researchers have tried to figure out what the magic behind the “sailing stones” really is. They’ve tagged and tracked stones for years, but with no luck.
Flickr/NASA Goddard
The stones might sit dormant for years before suddenly traveling great distances seemingly overnight, which makes documenting the process extremely difficult.
Flickr/Thomas Hawk
One theory is that winter ice flows and strong winter winds may be causing the stones to move.
Flickr/Keith Cuddeback
However, locals report that some of the stones seem to travel even when there are no particularly strong winds.
Flickr/nate2b
We might never know for sure what’s behind this bizarre phenomenon, but the mystery is part of the beauty of this place.
Flickr/Keith Cuddeback
Flickr/James Marvin Phelps
Flickr/John Fowler
Flickr/Rob Degraff
Flickr/NASA Goddard
Flickr/Thomas Hawk
Flickr/nate2b
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