What landscape features are found in the Kaokoveld region of the northern Namib Desert?

The Kaokoveld region, located in the northern portion of the Namib Desert, is characterized by a distinct landscape that differs from the vast sand seas found further south. Its primary features include:

• Gravel Plains and Rock Platforms: These surfaces dominate the desert landscape, situated between scattered mountain ranges.12
• Rugged Mountains: The region features numerous relatively short, rugged mountain ranges that rise steeply and abruptly above the platform.12
• Dune Fields: While less extensive than in the southern Namib, the region is interspersed with a few large dune fields.2
• Coastal Belt: The narrow coastal strip, known as the Skeleton Coast, is defined by its gravel plains and rock platforms. This area is frequently characterized by fog and humidity resulting from cool offshore currents.1

Inland from the desert, the broader Kaokoland region is mountainous, with an average elevation of approximately 4,500 feet (1,400 meters), and contains dry riverbeds where pools of water may occasionally be found.1