The sailing rocks of Racetrack Playa in Death Valley, have puzzled scientists for decades. These rocks, some weighing hundreds of pounds, leave long trails behind them as they mysteriously move across the dry lake bed. Recent research has revealed that their movement is driven by a combination of ice, wind, and water.
During winter, the playa floods with shallow water, which freezes at night, forming thin ice sheets around the rocks. As the sun warms the area, the ice cracks and, with even light winds, pushes the rocks along the slick, muddy surface, leaving trails. The rocks, though moving slowly, create the dramatic tracks that have long captivated observers.
Acquisition detail:
* Foreground: f/11, 30s, ISO 100
* Sky: f/1.4, 2 mins, ISO 400 (tracked)
Finally if you read all the way to end, thanks! If you like the image I post more to my [Instagram](https://instagram.com/mrcnzajac).
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The sailing rocks of Racetrack Playa in Death Valley, have puzzled scientists for decades. These rocks, some weighing hundreds of pounds, leave long trails behind them as they mysteriously move across the dry lake bed. Recent research has revealed that their movement is driven by a combination of ice, wind, and water.
During winter, the playa floods with shallow water, which freezes at night, forming thin ice sheets around the rocks. As the sun warms the area, the ice cracks and, with even light winds, pushes the rocks along the slick, muddy surface, leaving trails. The rocks, though moving slowly, create the dramatic tracks that have long captivated observers.
Acquisition detail:
* Foreground: f/11, 30s, ISO 100
* Sky: f/1.4, 2 mins, ISO 400 (tracked)
Finally if you read all the way to end, thanks! If you like the image I post more to my [Instagram](https://instagram.com/mrcnzajac).