The Racetrack
The Racetrack, also known as the Racetrack Playa is a scenic dry lake feature with "sailing stones" that inscribe linear "racetrack" imprints. The Grandstand is to the left.
During periods of heavy rain, water washes down from the Racetrack mountain area, drains into the playa, forms a shallow, short-lived endorheic lake. Under the hot desert sun, the thin veneer of water quickly evaporates leaving behind a surface layer of soft slick mud. As the mud dries, it shrinks and cracks into a mosaic pattern of interlocking polygons.
The mystery of the "sailing stones" will be revealed in my next post.
Happy Wednesday! Thanks for stopping by and for all of your kind comments, awards and faves -- I appreciate them all.
© Melissa Post 2020
The Racetrack
The Racetrack, also known as the Racetrack Playa is a scenic dry lake feature with "sailing stones" that inscribe linear "racetrack" imprints. The Grandstand is to the left.
During periods of heavy rain, water washes down from the Racetrack mountain area, drains into the playa, forms a shallow, short-lived endorheic lake. Under the hot desert sun, the thin veneer of water quickly evaporates leaving behind a surface layer of soft slick mud. As the mud dries, it shrinks and cracks into a mosaic pattern of interlocking polygons.
The mystery of the "sailing stones" will be revealed in my next post.
Happy Wednesday! Thanks for stopping by and for all of your kind comments, awards and faves -- I appreciate them all.
© Melissa Post 2020