1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910299448203321

Autore

Goudie Andrew

Titolo

Landscapes and Landforms of Namibia / / by Andrew Goudie, Heather Viles

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Dordrecht : , : Springer Netherlands : , : Imprint : Springer, , 2015

ISBN

94-017-8020-X

Edizione

[1st ed. 2015.]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (164 p.)

Collana

World Geomorphological Landscapes, , 2213-2090

Disciplina

111.85

Soggetti

Geomorphology

Physical geography

Environmental geology

Physical Geography

Geoecology/Natural Processes

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index at the end of each chapters.

Nota di contenuto

From the Contents: Geological and tectonic background -- Climate past and present -- Long-term geomorphological history -- Geomorphological regions -- Brandberg -- Brukkaros Volcano -- Cunene River, the oshanas, bedrock channel and major falls -- Erongo Mountains: Ameib, Bulls Parties, Phillips Cave -- Etendeka Plateau and the Messum Crater -- Etosha Pan -- Gamsberg Plateau -- Giant’s Playground dolerite complex -- Gobabeb and the Central Namib inselbergs and weathering phenomena -- Kolmanskop barchans -- Kuiseb Canyon, Gravel Plains, Calcretes and Gramadullas -- Naukluft Tufsa.

Sommario/riassunto

The landscapes of Namibia are of world-class quality in beauty, diversity and interest. This book provides the first ever overview of the most important of these landscapes, explains why they look as they do, and evaluates why they are of note. Writing from a geomorphological perspective, the authors introduce the key processes and controls which influence landscape and landform development in Namibia. Geological and tectonic background, climate now and in the past, vegetation and animals (including humans) are all identified as crucial



factors influencing the landscape of Namibia today. The book presents twenty one richly-illustrated case studies of the most significant landscapes of Namibia, ranging from the iconic Etosha Pan at the heart of the biggest wildlife conservation area in the north, to the famous dunes and ephemeral river at Sossus Vlei in the heart of the Namib desert. Each case study also contains a full list of the key references to the scientific work on that landscape. The authors provide an assessment of the current state of conservation of these landscapes, and their importance to tourism. The book is recommended reading for anyone with a professional or amateur interest in the spectacular and intriguing landscapes of this part of southern Africa. It provides a useful handbook for those travelling around Namibia, and an invaluable reference guide for those interested in how landscapes develop and change.