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Abstract

Warm desert environments are characterized by the occurrence of a variety of surface and near-surface, chemically precipitated crusts, including calcrete, silcrete, and gypcrete. Collectively, these are referred to as duricrusts (Woolnough 1930). This chapter focuses on the morphology, chemistry, mineralogy, and origin of the major types of crusts. Particular attention is given to recent research from Australia, the United States, and Africa.

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© 1994 Athol D. Abrahams and Anthony J. Parsons

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Dixon, J.C. (1994). Duricrusts. In: Abrahams, A.D., Parsons, A.J. (eds) Geomorphology of Desert Environments. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-8254-4_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-8254-4_5

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