Contribution of lateral processes to stone pavement formation in deserts inferred from clast orientation patterns

► We examine length axes orientation of intact, disturbed and fossil stone pavements. ► We introduce a new approach to quantify circular data. ► Stone pavements often show bimodal patterns, symmetrical to slope aspect. ► Orientation patterns are created by lateral, surficial geomorphologic processes. ► Stone pavements are potentially fragile and transient features of arid environments.