The Making of California’s Mini-Mammoths

Over 80,000 years ago, somewhere on a southern California beach, a mammoth wanders across the sand. The beast doesn’t stop at the water’s edge. Step by step, its trunk held high, the towering proboscidean walks into the waves until its feet no longer touch the bottom. One, two, three, kick, the elephant keeps paddling, the air-filled sinuses of its great skull helping to keep the mammoth’s head near the surface as it moves further and further out from the coastline. It has a long swim ahead. In the distance, rising from the surface 12 miles to the west, are a small set of islands. That’s where the mammoth will again emerge onto dry land.

We know that such an event must

DON'T MISS THE REST OF THIS STORY!
Create a free account to continue and get unlimited access to hundreds of Nat Geo articles, plus newsletters.

Create your free account to continue reading

No credit card required. Unlimited access to free content.
Or get a Premium Subscription to access the best of Nat Geo - just $19
SUBSCRIBE

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet