BETA
Chapter 1
The mystery of Racetrack Playa
Chapter 2
Cracking the cold case
Chapter 3
Global glides and dry lakes
YOUR GOAL
Master of Sailing stones of Death Valley
Ch 2 · Cracking the cold case
hank Sailing Stones of Death Valley
For years, a mystery deep in Death Valley lay, Thin ice and light winds, they move the stones each day!
hank Gentle winter breezes push massive ice panels, which in turn shove the rocks across the slick, muddy lakebed.
hank The breakthrough discovery revealed that a rare combination of water, freezing temperatures, and sun creates the perfect sliding conditions.
Fun Fact
Fastest recorded slide: The fastest documented sailing stone was clocked moving at a speed of about fifteen feet per minute, which is slower than a snail's pace.
Glossary
windowpane ice (noun)
A thin, transparent sheet of ice that forms over a shallow puddle or wet surface. In December 2013, researchers observed these thin sheets pushing heavy boulders across Racetrack Playa.
A thin, transparent sheet of ice that forms over a shallow puddle or wet surface. In December 2013, researchers observed these thin sheets pushing heavy boulders across Racetrack Playa.
Quiz
At what speed do the sailing stones of Death Valley typically travel when they are actively moving?
Quiz
What surprisingly thin material is crucial for the sailing stones of Death Valley to slide across the mud?
Quiz
What is the minimum wind speed required to push the ice sheets and move the sailing stones?
Quiz
In what year did scientists first witness and record the sailing stones of Death Valley actively moving?
Quiz
Who were the lead researchers who successfully solved the mystery of the sailing stones of Death Valley?
Quiz
What happens to the muddy playa floor that allows the sailing stones to glide with minimal friction?