Dolerite Hills
The surroundings of Keetmanshoop in southern Namibia are characterized by the bizarre rock formations of the 180 million years old Keetmanshoop Dolerite Complex, which is allied to the incipient break-up of the Gondwana supercontinent that united the landmassses of the southern hemisphere between 550 to 150 million years ago. Interspersed with sedimentary rocks of the Karoo Supergroup (~320 to 200 million years), which demonstrate a major climate change from glacial to subtropical, the dolerite covers an area of more than 18000 km², verging on the Kalahari sandveld. In addition, the area is known for various important fossil sites of the aquatic reptile Mesosaurus tenuidens, which - having been found both in southern Africa and South America - proves the erstwhile connection between the two continents, as well as the antediluvian-looking quiver trees that thrive in the soil derived from the weathered dolerite.
Source: Roadside Geology of Namibia
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