The Roadside Geology of Namibia

About this book

Namibia has over the years attracted scientists from all over the world to study its geology, uniquely exposed in the desert environment. Their research has shaped geological thinking worldwide, and led to the development of many new concepts. Due to an arid climate and low population density, geological features are ever present and eye-catching in Namibia. It is for these reasons, that both scientists and laymen are attracted to the country, and many a tourist develops a keen interest in geology when touring this beautiful country.

The Roadside Geology Guide has been prepared on response to a growing demand for geological information. The Roadside Geology of Namibia provides a general introduction into the geological development of southern Africa and Namibia in particular, followed by general chapters on mineralogy, palaeontology, hydrogeology and mining. Special geological attractions of Namibia are then described in detail, followed by detailed route descriptions of 29 routes throughout the entire country. They are presented in a radial fashion, starting with routes from the central part of the country towards the west, followed by southern and eastern Namibia and ending with the northern routes. The route descriptions are accompanied by geological maps as well as stratigraphic diagrams.

In this second, revised edition, text, figures and cover have been corrected and optimized.

Contents

1. Introduction 1

2. The Geological Evolution of Southern Africa 4

3. Namibia from the Archaean to the Cenozoic 9

4. An Overview of the Namibian Mineralogy 23

5. Palaeontology 29

6. Hydrogeology 34

7. Mining 40
7.1 A Historical Perspective 40
7.2 Present Mineral Production and Exploration 42

8. Geological Attractions 47
8.1 Brandberg 47
8.2 Brukkaros 51
8.3 Burnt Mountain 55
8.4 Dieprivier 55
8.5 Dolerite Hills 58
8.6 Etendeka Plateau 60
8.7 Erongo 64
8.8 Etosha Pan 68
8.9 Fishriver Canyon 70
8.10 Gamsberg 72
8.11 The Gibeon Meteorites 74
8.12 The Hoba Meteorite 76
8.13 The Kalahari 79
8.14 Karas Mountains 82
8.15 Kolmanskop 82
8.16 Kuiseb Canyon 86
8.17 Lake Otjikoto and Lake Guinas 88
8.18 Messum 91
8.19 Mount Etjo 93
8.20 Mukorob 95
8.21 Namib Desert 97
8.22 Naukluft 101
8.23 The Omatako Mountains 104
8.24 Organ Pipes 106
8.25 Dinosaur Footprints at Otjihaenamaparero 107
8.26 Petrified Forest 110
8.27 Sesriem Canyon 112
8.28 Sossusvlei and Tsondabvlei 113
8.29 Spitzkuppe 115
8.30 Twyfelfontein 118
8.31 Vingerklip 120
8.32 The Waterberg 121

9. Excursions 125
9.1 Windhoek ­ Okahandja ­ Karibib ­ Swakopmund 127
9.2 Karibib ­ Omaruru ­ Uis 133
9.3 Windhoek ­ Bosua Pass ­ Swakopmund 137
9.4 Windhoek ­ Gamsberg Pass ­ Walvis Bay ­ Swakopmund 142
9.5 Windhoek ­ Spreetshoogte Pass ­ Naukluft ­ Maltahöhe 152
9.6 Rostock ­ Solitaire ­ Zarishoogte Pass ­ Maltahöhe 158
9.7 Windhoek ­ Rehoboth ­ Mariental 166
9.8 Mariental ­ Maltahöhe ­ Helmeringhausen ­ Aus 173
9.9 Mariental ­ Keetmanshoop ­ Lüderitz 176
9.10 Aus ­ Rosh Pinah ­ Oranjemund 182
9.11 Seeheim ­ Ai-Ais 189
9.12 Keetmanshoop ­ Grünau ­ Noordoewer 191
9.13 Grünau ­ Karasburg ­ Ariamsvlei 195
9.14 Keetmanshoop ­ Gochas ­ Stampriet 197
9.15 Mariental ­ Aranos ­ Leonardville ­ Gobabis 200
9.16 Windhoek ­ Dordabis ­ Leonardville 202
9.17 Windhoek ­ Gobabis ­ Buitepos 206
9.18 Windhoek ­ Steinhausen ­ Summerdown ­ Okahandja 210
9.19 Okahandja ­ Otjiwarongo ­ Otavi ­ Tsumeb 214
9.20 Omaruru ­ Kalkfeld ­ Otjiwarongo 219
9.21 Otavi ­ Grootfontein ­ Tsumkwe 222
9.22 Grootfontein ­ Rundu ­ Katima Mulilo ­ Ngoma 226
9.23 Grootfontein ­ Tsumeb ­ Oshakati ­ Ruacana 229
9.24 Otjiwarongo ­ Outjo ­ Okaukuejo 233
9.25 Outjo ­ Kamanjab ­ Opuwo ­ Ruacana 236
9.26 Outjo ­ Khorixas ­ Uis ­ Henties Bay 240
9.27 Swakopmund ­ HentiesBay ­ Cape Cross ­ Terrace Bay 244
9.28 Khorixas ­ Palmwag ­ Sesfontein 252
9.29 Sesfontein ­ Opuwo ­ Epupa ­ Marienfluss ­ Sesfontein 257

10. References 265

11. Index 274

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