Naukluft and Tsaris and Sossusvlei

Posted June 2, 2024 by Jan
Namibia

Pension Rapmund                                                                          Swakopmund                                                                                  West Central Namibia

June 2, 2024

 

We continue our journey  through the Namib-Naukluft National Park to explore the agonizing  shapes yet pleasing “earthtones” of the fault formations.

We then leave the Naukluft Range to visit the Tsaris Mountains.  Here within the black and white striations lie some of the oldest shell fossils in the world: Namacalathus. The discovery of these fossils caused the Precambrian Cambrian boundary to be revised back in time. *

Finally we visit one of Namibia’s great natural wonders, the Sussusvlei Pan and the surrounding red desert sand dunes.

The Naukluft Mountains

Posted June 1, 2024 by Jan
Namibia

Naukluft Mountains

Namib-Naukluft National Park

South-Western Namibia

June 1, 2024

Hello,

Today we visit the eastern-most portion of the Namib-Naukluft National Park,  a huge park that encompasses a large area of south-western Namibia.

We walk to see the main basal thrust plane of the Naukluft Fault.

The fault is of interest to geologists because carbonate rocks at its base have lubricated the fault.  This lubrication allows rock units to be pushed great distances.

En-Route to the Naukluft Mountains

Posted May 31, 2024 by Jan
Namibia

Bullsport Guestfarm

Naukluft Mountains

Namibia

May 31, 2024

Hello,

Today my geo tour group departs Windhoek.  We drive southwest towards the Naukluft Mountains.

Our first stop is the Aris Quarry.  Here we find Tertiay-aged phonolite lava that is being quarried for road aggregate.

Our guide cracks open a rock.  Using a loupe my companions find minute evidence of ancient water!

I am delighted to watch them as they are delighted to peer into the deep past.

The Lookout Café

Posted May 30, 2024 by Jan
Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls

Zimbabwe

May 28, 2024

Hello.

Welcome to the Lookout Café. 

The Café seats 260 visitors and is open for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner.

The restaurant sits on the edge of a rim high above the Batoka Gorge.  The Gorge lies below Victoria Falls. 

Carved by the Zambezi River, the Batoka Gorge runs more than 120 km (75 mi) long with vertical walls that are on average four hundred feet high.

Rainbows at Victoria Falls - Zambia

Posted May 29, 2024 by Jan
Zambia
 

Victoria Falls

Zambia

May 29. 2024

Everything you wanted to know about Rainbows:

A rainbow is a multicolored arc made by light striking water droplets.

The most familiar type of rainbow is produced when sunlight strikes raindrops in front of a viewer at a precise angle    (42 degrees). Rainbows can also be viewed around fog, sea spray, or waterfalls.

A rainbow is an optical illusion—it does not actually exist in a specific spot in the sky. The appearance of a rainbow depends on where you are standing and where the sun (or other source of light) is shining.

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