Investigation of the factors controlling the distribution of desert varnish in the Wright Valley

An investigation of the factors controlling the distribution of desert varnish in the Wright Valley, Antarctica was conducted. Traverses were made on foot throughout the Wright Valley and revealed that desert varnish is found almost exclusively in high altitude areas and is dominantly associated with dolerite. It is considered that the formation of this coating on the rocks is a surface weathering phenomenon resulting from the wind induced forced advection of moisture from the surface of the rock. This causes the deposition of a thin layer of manganese and iron oxides on the surface of the rock.