study site
area below sea level
national park
0
0 25 km
25 mi
650
5 50
6 0 0
Shoshone
A m argo sa R i v e r
Ama r go sa R i v e r
500
700
650
600
550
700
750
800
850
750
600
800
650
O l dR a i l r o a d
G r a d e
1 7 8
1 2 7
1 2 7
1 7 8
0 1/2 1 mileNORTH
Du b l i n
H i l l sNEVADA
CALIFORNIA
DE
AT
H
VA
LL
EY
PA
NA
MI
NT
RA
NG
E
Funeral Mountains
Greenwater Range
AM
AR
GO
SA
RA
NG
E
D EATH
VALLEY
NAT'L
PAR K
Desert Varnish is a shiney dark coating,
dominated by manganese oxide, that
forms on rocks in arid or semi-arid areas,
after long-term exposure to air.
Shoshone, California is one study
site location of a Summer 2002 project
examining desert varnish on relict lobes
on alluvial fans near Death Valley National
Park.
M e t h o d s : R o c k
samples were collected
from adjacent varnished
and unvarnished alluvial
surfaces.
Results: Desert varnish is more prevalent and darkeron older, inactive, deflated alluvial sur faces.
Conclusion: Desertvarnish is a goodindicator of relativeweathering, or rate ofweathering, on alluvialfan surfaces.
Map source: USGS 7.5 minute topographic map,Shoshone Quadrangle. Location map source: Dick Gilbreath
Map compiled by: Kristin Adams
Shoshone
Rock Varnish in Death Valley: Shoshone, California