Re: To answer your question...
Posted by Art on July 11, 2004 at 20:09:41:
In Reply to: Re: To answer your question... posted by johnc on July 11, 2004 at 16:34:25:
I'd expect that if there was enough deformation to create a large enough gradient to slide the rocks, that there would be other geologic effects that would be noticed. One would also expect the trails to be more uniform. Most of the scientists that have seriously studied this suspect wind and/or ice after the surface has become wet. Dr. Paula Messina once repeated a report she had gotten where wind had caused water on the playa to be pooled at the north end (which I believe she said is slightly higher).
Given the current status, the NPS will not allow any instrumentation to be installed to monitor the conditions. I recall reading that before it became a NP, a wind speed gauge was destroyed by extremely high winds.
Reading Dr. Messina's work is worth taking the time. Race Track Research
Art