The 900-Years Old Leafless Forest in the Namibian Desert

This outlandish place has a history. Called Deadvlei, or the Dead Marsh, the surreal landscape is a remnant of a dried oasis in the middle of sandy Namibian desert dunes. The forest died after it was totally dried, when the water brought over by the flooded Tsauchab River, withdrew. It was a moment of climate change and the camel thorn trees died as the water was blocked coming back by the surrounding sand dunes.

The forest now looks like a dead conservatory as the trees have stayed the same for 900 years. The Dead Marsh is a favorite place for photographers and movie makers – it was used in the futuristic movie The Cell.