Message posted by Peter Merlin (Member since 11/13/2003) on September 25, 2022 at 9:38:14 PST:
The surface of the lakebed consists of an alkali clay. Approximately 18,000 years ago, there was a rain-fed lake covering about 36 square miles. It may have been nearly 40 feet deep during times of maximum precipitation. Climate fluctuations and sediments washing down from the surrounding mountains eventually caused the lake to dry out, leaving behind a flat playa roughly three miles in diameter. When dry, the surface is sufficiently hard to support takeoffs and landings of pretty much any sized aircraft.
In Reply to: Groom lake posted by Altner on September 25, 2022 at 8:32:18 PST:
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