The Namib Desert is the oldest desert on Earth, remaining dry for at least 55 million years.

The Namib Desert spans over 1,200 miles along the Atlantic coast of Angola, Namibia, and South Africa. Geologists and paleoclimatologists estimate its age at roughly 55 to 80 million years, dating back to the late Cretaceous or early Eocene periods. This makes it significantly older than the Sahara, which is estimated to be only 2 to 7 million years old.The desert's extreme aridity is driven by the cold Benguela Current flowing northward from the Antarctic. This current creates a strong temperature inversion where cold, moist air is trapped beneath a layer of warm air. This prevents the moist air from rising and forming rain, resulting in less than 0.4 inches of annual precipitation in some areas.Because the climate has remained stable for so long, the Namib has become a hotspot for endemic species. The Welwitschia mirabilis plant is a prime example, with some individual specimens living for over 1,500 years. These plants have evolved to survive by absorbing moisture from the dense sea fogs that roll in from the Atlantic Ocean.Research published in journals like 'Nature' and 'Science' confirms that the Namib's geological formations, such as its massive sand dunes, have been shaped by these consistent wind patterns for millions of years. This long-term environmental stability is rare on Earth, as most regions have undergone significant climatic shifts due to ice ages or tectonic movements.