The “valley of death” or Deadvlei (dead marsh) is near Sossus vlei in the Namib Naukluft National Park of Namibia. It consists of a clay pan surrounded by the highest sand dunes in the world. The current scenery evolved more than 600- 700 years ago when the clay pan was formed after rainfall and flooding of the Tsauchab River. It created temporary shallow pools for the camel thorn trees to grow. Climate changes and encroaching sand dunes blocked the river from the area.