The clay pan was formed after rainfall, when the
Tsauchab river flooded, creating temporary shallow pools where the abundance of water allowed
camel thorn trees to grow. When the climate changed, drought hit the area, and sand dunes encroached on the pan, which blocked the river from the area. The trees died as there was no longer enough water to survive. However, some species of plants remain, such as
salsola and clumps of
nara, adapted to surviving off the morning
mist and very rare rainfall. The remaining skeletons of the trees, which are believed to have died 600–700 years ago (ca. 1340–1430), are now black and scorched by the intense heat. Though not
petrified, the wood has not decomposed because the area is so dry. Dead Vlei has been claimed to be surrounded by the highest sand
dunes in the world, the highest reaching ( on average) named "Big Daddy" or "Crazy Dune", resting on a
sandstone terrace. ==In popular media==