Deadvlei is a clay pan near Sossusvlei, marked by dark, dead camel thorn trees standing on a pale, cracked surface. These trees grew after flooding by the Tsauchab River, but shifting dunes later cut off the water. The arid climate has preserved the trees for centuries. Surrounded by rust-coloured dunes and a vivid sky, the area presents a stark, striking contrast that draws many to observe its unique and silent landscape.