... Unusual Rocks in Death Valley . ... One of the more unusual places here on Earth occurs inside Death Valley , California , USA . There a dried lakebed named Racetrack Playa exists that is almost perfectly flat, with the odd exception of some very large stones, one of which is pictured above . Now the flatness and texture of large playa like Racetrack are fascinating but not scientifically puzzling -- they are caused by mud flowing, drying, and cracking after a heavy rain. ...