Another Global Warming Casualty: Death Valley’s Sliding Rocks to Stop Sliding

August 28th, 2014 by Roy W. Spencer, Ph. D.

Sliding rock on Racetrack Playa, Death Valley, CA (photo by TahoeNathan)

Sliding rock on Racetrack Playa, Death Valley, CA (photo by TahoeNathan)


I thought I would make this connection before someone else (inevitably) does.

In case you hadn’t heard, the sliding rock mystery of Racetrack Playa in Death Valley has been solved. Researchers have witnessed rocks being shoved around by wind-blown ice that forms after rare winter rains.

Now, you might recall that Death Valley is now officially the hottest place on Earth.

Ice shoving rocks around. At the hottest place on Earth.

Clearly, this is another example of one more thing that will change with global warming. No more ice in Death Valley.

No more water to freeze anyway, because of increased drought.

So, no more sliding rocks at Racetrack Playa. They will have to rename it Motionless Rock Playa.

You heard it here first.


5 Responses to “Another Global Warming Casualty: Death Valley’s Sliding Rocks to Stop Sliding”

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  1. BBould says:

    So sad…..

  2. lance says:

    say goodbye to snow rollers too…thing of the past anyhow.

  3. What if it should happen that the rocks start moving faster due to more “Ice Formation”? – More ice is/can be caused by “Global Warming” too you know.

    The kind of ‘Warming caused when you turn your lights on just because the dark nights are getting longer’ that is.

  4. stevek says:

    You mean the us olympic curling team no longer has a place to practice 😉

  5. Bret says:

    The hottest place on earth may be in Death Valley but I rather doubt that spot is somewhere on the racetrack which is at a bit higher elevation.

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