Did you know that?

• There are three mainstream theories on how desert pavement forms. There is currently no scientific consensus on the topic; geologists debate the mechanics of pavement formation and their age to this very day.

• Desert pavement surfaces are often coated with desert varnish, a dark brown, sometimes shiny coating that contains clay minerals. Desert varnish is a thin coating (patina) of clays, iron, and manganese on the surface of sun-baked boulders. Micro-organisms may also play a role in their formation.