Mysterious rocks stolen from Death Valley National Park (LA Times)

[petronius]

"We've had more instances of folks taking the rocks," Death Valley spokesman Terry Baldino said. "They don't seem to understand that outside of the Racetrack, these marvelous rocks have no value."

http://www.latimes.com/news/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-death-valley-theft-20130530,0,367891.story

I don't know what's more mysterious and fascinating: Racetrack Playa, or the level of selfishness some folks will sink to...

[leveymg]

1. I wonder whether another rock @ the same size, weight and shape might not work just as well?

Has anyone tried that?

[petronius]

3. I don't know, it's a good question. Similar sized stones replaced on the Racetrack, and/or

similar stones placed on similar (in terms of flatness, sediment size, elevation, precipitation, prevailing wind) playas would be interesting. I assume that if you dropped another slab from the local mountains onto the Racetrack it would eventually move, but why it isn't more common on other playas is curious...

[ewagner]

2. Awful feeling....

that somewhere somebody is worshiping these rocks.....

[petronius]

4. It does suggest a bit of a business opportunity, doesn't it?

Maybe the Park Service should divert more rock fragments from road cuts and building projects into the 'RT Sailing Stone' black market...

[Starry Messenger]

5. Do people think they move on their own?

Humans, I don't get it some days.

[eppur_se_muova]

6. Well, they'd be no good as doorstops ...

[hunter]

7. Just another reason the automobile culture needs to be killed.

Stupid mean people drive.

If they had to hike across the desert to do this sort of vandalism they'd die.

Until then, I think we need a lot more park rangers.

Instead we tolerate unemployment and a bloated military.