What do you think if today we cross the pond to discover one of the most mysterious corners of the planet? We are referring to death Valley from California, United States, an inhospitable area that lives up to its name, since the living conditions here are really harsh. Of course, this place has become world famous because of the mysterious phenomenon that occurs here: rocks that move alone. It was discovered in the late 1940s, although it wasn't until a few months ago that the mystery was solved.
Do you want to know more about the Valley of Death? Would you like to know the reason why stones do they move alone in this place? Well, do not miss anything we tell you below!
A place protected by mountains
Death Valley National Park is located approximately 330 kilometers northeast of Los Angeles, specifically within a desert it receives very little moisture. In fact, one of the peculiarities of this place is that the sky is clear during practically the whole year. At about 100 miles long and about 15 wide, the valley is protected by high mountains to the east and west. All these characteristics cause that the temperatures of the place are tremendously high. Thus, in July and August it is possible to reach 50ºC and rarely drops below 38ºC during the night. Therefore, the best time to visit this place is in winter (December and January), since temperatures are more pleasant (around 20º C).
Beautiful landscapes despite the heat
Although it is a tremendously hot place, the truth is that it is also a very beautiful area, being able to find from the classic desert landscapes, to immense white salt plains, passing through deposits of mineral layers on the canyon walls. Of course, we have to talk about the Furnace Stream, an area of green bushes and date palms. Yes, it is a real oasis in the middle of the desert. If you have the possibility to visit the area, you cannot stop contemplating the valley from Pico de Dante. Also, keep in mind that there are several routes and trails available to all explorers.
The mystery of the stones that walk alone
As we mentioned at the beginning, what made this place famous was the mystery of the stones that moved alone, a phenomenon that was discovered in 1948. The events took place in Racetrack Playa, a flat and dry lake located 1,130 meters above sea level where you could see how the stones left their trail of movement. The funny thing is that the tracks were both straight and curved and could stretch for several tens of meters.
Mystery solved
After decades of speculation (paranormal phenomena, alien interventions, strong winds, different geological theories ...), last summer a group of scientists managed to solve the mystery. In fact, they were the first witnesses to this phenomenon, since until now nobody had seen how the stones moved live. In addition, they were able to take some pictures thanks to time-lapse cameras and other instruments, such as a weather station and a GPS. What the scientists discovered was that when it rained, a layer of water remained on the dry surface of the area, creating a very fine surface lake. At dusk, when temperatures drop, the water turns freezes forming a super thin layer of ice, like a crystal. When in the morning the ice begins to melt and cracks, the frozen plates move even in light winds, in turn moving the trapped rocks.
Giants of Death Valley : The Lost City of Atlantis in The Desert? - Mojave Mysteries (April 2024)
- California natural parks
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