Namib desert: Did you know?

By Leon-Ben Lamprecht

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The mineral magnetite occurs in places in the Namib. If you brush a magnet over the sand, strands of the mineral will cling to it.

The sand bakes until fiery-hot during the day. On our tour, it reached 58 ºC in one place. Most desert animals hide under the sand or in any shade they can find.

These are just three of the surprises that await you in the Namib desert:

Strong attraction. The mineral magnetite occurs in places in the Namib. If you brush a magnet over the sand, strands of the mineral will cling to it.

58 And counting. The sand bakes until fiery-hot during the day. On our tour, it reached 58°C in one place. Most desert animals hide under the sand or in any shade they can find.

Rumbling Downhill. The Namib has "roaring sands" When a vehicle decends a steep dune, the sand roars because of the friction.

Published 1 March 2009

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