What is the Great Escarpment’s relationship to the Namib Desert?

The Great Escarpment serves as the inland boundary of the Namib Desert, marking the transition between the arid coastal plains and the highland interior plateau of southern Africa.12

The relationship between the two features is defined by the following characteristics:

• Geographic Boundary: The Namib Desert extends inland from the Atlantic coast for 80 to 100 miles (130 to 160 km) until it reaches the foot of the Great Escarpment.2
• Topographic Elevation: The desert consists of a platform that rises gradually from sea level to approximately 3,000 feet (900 meters) at the base of the escarpment.3
• Hydrological Influence: The escarpment acts as a source for rivers that flow westward across the desert platform. While these rivers often fail to reach the sea, they are significant in transporting sediments that contribute to the formation of the desert's vast dune fields.3
• Climatic Gradient: Precipitation in the Namib increases as one moves inland, rising from about 0.5 inches at the coast to 2 inches at the foot of the escarpment.4