Messum Crater, Volcanic crater in Dorob National Park, Namibia
Messum Crater is a volcanic structure featuring two concentric rings of rocky hills that surround a flat basin. The distinctive double-ring pattern is clearly visible from above and creates a defined geography for exploration.
This structure formed around 130 million years ago during the breakup of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana. Its origins make it one of the largest basalt formations across the African continent.
Stone circles scattered across the crater floor show where ancient nomadic communities once settled and lived. These structures remain visible today and offer a window into the human past of this remote landscape.
A permit is required to visit, and only four-wheel-drive vehicles can handle the unpaved, rocky roads to reach the site. Allow plenty of travel time since the tracks are demanding and no facilities are available on-site.
The crater basin hosts extensive lichen fields containing over 100 species that grow remarkably slowly in this hyper-arid environment. These tiny organisms are barely visible to the naked eye but demonstrate life's remarkable resilience in extreme conditions.
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