True Mysteries and Oddities

Originally Posted by Heisenberg

I think it would be interesting for us to list things we consider to be true mysteries. I have a love of all things mysterious, however I find most of tantalizing stuff pans out to be unworthy of such interest. It would be so nice if there was anything encouraging about big foot, ghosts, psychokinesis, ect. but once you decide on a set of standards and give things a critical eye, the allure of the paranormal fades to a simple distraction; entertainment at best. I never dismiss a mystery and am always willing to revisit, but after a while the genuine mystery seeker needs something more.

If you want to discuss typical paranormal or conspiracy topics, please start your own thread. For this discussion, lets list things we feel can defensively be considered mysteries, both solved and unsolved. The definition of mystery being, no current obvious explanation. Also, lets list some oddities, which may be explained, but still qualify as curious.

Being careful not to confuse unexplained with inexplicable, no one has yet figured out just how the rocks at devils racetrack move by themselves. Racetrack Playa is the name given to a dry riverbed in Death Valley that is home to hundreds and hundreds of rocks that apparently move on their own. These rocks leave tracks in the dirt that clearly show they have been moved, yet no one has ever manged to see one in action. The rocks are sometimes so big that it would take considerable effort to move them, and the trails often stop and change direction after moving for long distances in a straight line. This evidence seems to rule out hoax and the popular scientific explanation of wind. The area is hard to reach by conventional vehicle and the size and randomness of the rocks makes it unlikely a prankster would go to the trouble. The shape of the rocks makes them unlikely to posses enough wind resistance to cause movement, and small rocks don't seem to be moved any more violently than big rocks, as we would expect. Other explanations, such as magnetic anomalies and seismic vibrations have also been ruled out. Until recently, even science couldn't offer a satisfactory theory.

Here are some pics of rocks and their trails




After several studies no one is sure how these rocks do what they do. There is however a theory that finally makes sense. Wind does indeed play a part, but not until the surrounding mountains melt their snow enough to temporarily fill the lake bed with some water. The temperature gets below freezing at night which creates a sheet of ice on the water. The ice forms around the rocks, and ads it's inertia to the winds horsepower, which is enough to move the rocks. Imagine a lake with a thin sheet of ice being blown around by the wind, and you have the idea.

Still, no one has caught this event on film or otherwise demonstrated it to be true. At this point, despite a very plausible explanation, we technically have to count this as a mystery.

the second pic i'd say would be far to deep to have ice as an explanation or even wind. whats the surface like is it soft would it leave foot prints?

Originally Posted by ginjawarrior

the second pic i'd say would be far to deep to have ice as an explanation or even wind. whats the surface like is it soft would it leave foot prints?

Most of the time is dry windblown mud, but sometimes gets moist and slick. No forensic evidence of human interaction has been documented.

Here is a video that comes the closest anyone has been to capturing the actual proposed event. You are normally not allowed to go to devils racetrack during the times when water is likely to be in the lake bed.

The surface looks like the surface of GA red clay after repeated drying cycles. So it would be a theory depending on prevailing wind patterns. My first thought was wind. Just take an old aerial photo and determine distance and direction over the time. Instant function and the answer .

Seems to me the explanation can be found right in the name of the place -

They're racing.

Why are people disallowed from going there when there might be water? If this is the prevailing theory, wouldn't it make the most sense to allow researchers to test this?

If the proposed explanation is saying that the rocks are sliding on ice, that would rule out the possibility of creating trails. However, if the ice is freezing around the rocks and then acting as a sort of sail, I can see how this might be possible.

It's demons I tell ya, Demons!

Originally Posted by karri0n

Seems to me the explanation can be found right in the name of the place -

They're racing.

Why are people disallowed from going there when there might be water? If this is the prevailing theory, wouldn't it make the most sense to allow researchers to test this?

If the proposed explanation is saying that the rocks are sliding on ice, that would rule out the possibility of creating trails. However, if the ice is freezing around the rocks and then acting as a sort of sail, I can see how this might be possible.

It's protected land. I don't think people are really banned from going out there, just discouraged. It becomes really unsafe to travel during parts of the year. Ice acting as a sail is a good way to put it. Think of the ice hitting the rock but not being quite a solid. It is liquid enough to envelope the rock and carry it along. Some have also speculated that the ice adds buoyancy. Rocks with smooth bottoms have drifting lines, while rocks with uneven bottoms go in a straight line. This seems to back up the ice theory, however locals say the rocks move all year long, and not just during the two rainy seasons, and it has not been documented that melting snow from the mountains is enough to fill the lake bed.

Explain how he is popular.



Science may never understand.

How about crop circles? Aliens or hoaxters?