Brandberg Massif, Namibia
Credit: Credit: USGS/NASA, Posted on: Sunday, 1 February 2004, 06:00 CST Download full size image
Over 120 million years ago, a single mass of granite punched through the Earth’s crust and intruded into the heart of the Namib Desert in what is now northern Namibia. Today the mountain of rock called the Brandberg Massif towers over the arid desert below. A ring of dark, steep-sided rocks forced upward during the mountain's arrival encircles the granite intruder. The locals call it Dâures —- the burning mountain. Its volcanism has long since stilled, but the granite core left behind apparently glows redly in the light of the setting sun. The formation is a remnant of a long period of tumultuous volcanic and geological activity on Earth during which the southern super-continent of Gondwana was splitting apart. This is a Landsat image.
More Images
Eroded Sediments in West Candor Chasma.This image shows a steep-sided depression in light-toned, layered rocks in the Valles Marineris cany...
Disc Around Young Star.Artist's impression of the environment of a young star, showing the geometry of the dust disc in the...
Random Earth Images
Recent Images
- Eroded Sediments in West Candor Chasma
- Disc Around Young Star
- Earth from Space: Iceland’s first snow
- Blood Falls, Antarctica's Dry Valleys
- Frost on Mars
- Machaut Crater
- Massive Young Stars Trigger Stellar Birth
- Unnamed, Well-Preserved Crater South of Hypanis Valles
- Roan Plateau, Colorado
Latest Thoughts
Vets Using Sports to Overcome Injuries
White House Issues Exercise Guidelines
American Schools Full of Toxins
Microwave Safety
FDA Updates Cough Medicine Labels
Marathons Wreak Havoc on the Knees
RSS Feeds