Desert pavement is a surface pebble layer. Several pathways, which probably operate over tens of thousands of years may account for the same end product, these include: (a) removal of fine particles from surface by wind/water, leaving a 'lag' of coarser fragments, (b) vertical sorting of coarse fragments towards surface via wet/dry, freeze/thaw, and uplift by swelling clay, salt growth, air entrapment below, concomitant downward movement of fines, and (c) over time, pavement becomes 'flat' and covered with a thin veneer of 'varnish', composed of Fe, Mn and silicate clays, microbiological processes may contribute to its formation in some settings.