Aeolian Landform (10.Desert Varnish)

10.Desert Varnish                                                                                                                                  Back to Aeolian Landforms


  • Desert varnish is dark coating on rocks.
  • It compositeby clay minerals.
  • Clay arrive by wind.
  • These clays are;
                  -Black manganese oxide.(birnesite) 
                  -Red iron oxide.(hematite)


    Desert varnish on Bishop Tuff
    Desert varnish on Bishop Tuff
  • Another terms are;
                    -Rock rust
                    -Desert patina
                    -Rock varnish


  • Color range of rock varnish;
                   -Orange to Yellow -Black


  • These rocks' high resistance to weathering process.
  • Desert patina often identity of the underlying rock.
  • But different rocks have varying abilities to accept and retain varnish.
                             ex:Limestones( too water soluble )

  •  Shiny, dense & black varnishes forms on;
                              -Basalt.
                              -Quartzites.
                              -Metamorphosed shales.

Valley of Fire near Las Vegas, Nevada.
Valley of Fire near Las Vegas, Nevada.


Desert varnish in Horseshoe Canyon, Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Desert varnish in Horseshoe Canyon, Canyonlands National Park, Uta

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