Deadvlei: The Beautiful Yet Dead Forest Sorrunded by The World’s Highest Sand Dunes

This sun-blackened dead forest in a white clay pan in the Namibian desert is called ‘Deadvlei’ (or ‘Dooie Vlei’), which means ‘dead marsh’. Once an oasis fed by a one-time river, the place is now so dry that the lack of water have forced the roots of trees to come outside looking for moisture.

A surreal place in the Namibian Desert. Image credit: Amazing Places on Earth

Counted as one of the strangest places in the world, the area is surrounded by rust-orange giant sand dunes that form a contrasting backdrop. They rest on a sandstone terrace and and are said to be the highest in the world. The biggest of them reach 300–400 meters (350m on average) and are called ‘Big Daddy’ or ‘Crazy Dune’.

Deadvlei early in the morning before most visitors start arriving. Image credit: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen

The clay pan formed due to rainfall and the flooding Tsauchab river, creating temporary shallow pools where the abundance of water allowed camel thorn trees to grow. When the climate changed, drought hit the area, and sand dunes encroached on the pan, which blocked the river from the area.

As there no longer was enough water to survive, the trees died. The remaining skeletons, which are believed to have died 600–700 years ago (ca. 1340-1430), are now black because the intense sunlight has scorched them. Though not petrified, the wood does not decompose because it is so dry, giving the area an eerie eternal look.

Dead camel thorn Vachellia erioloba in Deadvlei. Image credit: Ikiwaner

General view of Deadvlei. Image credit: Diego Delso

A dried out camel thorn (Vachellia erioloba) in Deadvlei. Image credit: Diego Delso

Aerial view of Deadvlei. Image credit: Olga Ernst & Hp.Baumeler

.

.

.

 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Related Posts

Living Root Bridges Are Grown by an Indian Tribe

In the depths of North-Eastern India, in one of the wettest places on earth, bridges aren’t built – they’re grown.     The living bridges of Cherrapunji, India are grown…

The huge python completely ingested the Impala.

Pythoпs are beaυtifυl aпd deadly sпakes. They caп be foυпd iп the wild aloпg with the homes of thoυsaпds of people aroυпd the world. Althoυgh they may пot…

Our history book teach us the ancient civilizations were not technologically advanced, but here is the evidence

Let’s be honest: our culture is very innovative when it comes to finding new ways to communicate ourselves through our structures. With each passing day, it is…

63 Trees That Look Like Something Else And Will Make You Look Twice

Have you checked if you’re a pareidoliac yet? For all of you that enjoy seeing random objects in places where none exists, Bored Panda has prepared a special treat. We have…

Scary momeпt wheп a diver spotted a giaпt 23-foot pythoп iп the Braziliaп river

The most terrifyiпg momeпt is wheп two scυba divers come very close to aп eпormoυs acoda, the biggest fish iп the world. Bartolomeo Bove aпd his frieпd…

50 People Who Made Someone Laugh On Valentine’s Day With Their Gifts (New Pics)

For some people, Valentine’s Day is a serious occasion full of dreams about fairytale-like romance, receiving dozens of roses, and going on moonlit rides in horse-drawn carriages….

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *