Photo Details

Namib-Naukluft National Park is an ecological preserve – the largest game reserve in Africa – in the vast Namib Desert, a part of which may be seen in this high-resolution satellite image. Due to the orange color of the sand, which develops over time as the iron in the sand is oxidized, the Namib Desert is considered the oldest desert in the world. Coastal winds create the tallest sand dunes in the world here, with some dunes reaching 300 m (980 ft) in height. Image courtesy of USGS.