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Published June 24, 1977 | public
Journal Article

Desert Varnish: The Importance of Clay Minerals

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Abstract

Desert varnish has been characterized by infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and electron microscopy. It is a distinct morphological entity having an abrupt boundary with the underlying rock. Clay minerals comprise more than 70 percent of the varnish. Iron and manganese oxides constitute the bulk of the remainder and are dispersed throughout the clay layer.

Additional Information

© 1977 American Association for the Advancement of Science. 1977 Received for publication 1 February 1977. We thank R. P. Sharp for helpful discussions regarding field localities and the preparation of this manuscript, H.-W. Yeh for providing mixed-layer clay standards, and especially the L. S. B. Leakey Foundation and the John A. McCarthy Foundation for financial support. Contribution No. 2786, Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology.

Additional details

Created:
August 22, 2023
Modified:
October 23, 2023