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Racetrack Playa

Detailed Description

 

After major storms, water accumulates on the south end of Racetrack Playa. The south end of the playa is a couple feet lower than the north end. The water typically is only a few inches thick. Rocks imbedded in floating ice on the ephemeral pond may be responsible for some of the sliding rock trails. Other sliding rock trails can form when rocks are pushed by strong winds that occur on the playa following intense mountain wind storms (accompanied by soaking precipitation) (Messina and Stoffer, 1999).

Sources/Usage

Public Domain.