One night is recommended. This will allow the traveller do a number of easy walks, and take part in a game drive. These activities should be scheduled separately for a morning and an afternoon.

There are a number of accommodation establishments around the park. Accommodation within the park may be of varying standards, so please consult your local operator. A restaurant, fuel station, swimming pool and kiosk are available within the park. There are no banking facilities in the immediate area, and access to credit card payment may be problematic due to poor connections, so travellers visiting the park should carry enough Namibian Dollars to pay their way.

Entry and exit times
If staying at an accommodation establishment in the vicinity of the park, travellers should establish entry and exit times before setting off for the park and on entering the park. Entry and exit times will be determined by sunrise and sunset, and the specific exit time should be established at the park reception office or at the gate.

Baboons
Troops of baboons range freely in the boundaries of the park. If a baboon is sighted, the traveller should move away quietly, without delay, to a place of safety. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should a traveller feed or attempt to interact with baboons. Cars must always be kept closed and locked. The presence of baboons will be made known by the bark of a sentry baboon, a sudden, loud shout. If heard, travellers should move in the opposite direction.

Clothing
Travellers should wear walking shoes or hiking boots with good support for ankles. As the bush is dense, and many of the plant species have thorns, travellers should wear long trousers and long-sleeved shirts made of strong material. A hat should be worn at midday.

Walking and wildlife safety
The are a number of short easy walks around the park, however these require a level of fitness and will not be suitable for very young children, the elderly or the infirm. Animals may be encountered on walks around the park. Even though they may approach travellers with no apparent fear, they are still wild and the traveller should maintain a safe distance. Do not feed the animals.

General safety
If walking around the park on one of the short walks, the traveller should inform another party of the walk they intend to undertake, as most walks will generally take them out of sight of other people.

Tipping
Although the facilities with the park are state-owned, they are run by a company owned by the government, and tipping is permitted.

Entry into the park is subject to a set of rules handed out on entry. As a guideline, observe the following advice.

Don’t litter
Litter may be eaten by animals, poisoning them or causing them to choke. It may also cause damage to the environment which will take years to repair. If litter is made on a walk, the traveller should carry it along and only dispose of it in a waste bin.

Don’t feed or approach animals
All animals within the park are wild. If approached they may attack. If fed, they may become reliant on humans, reducing their chances of survival in the wild.

Don’t make fires, except at designated points
A number of places have been designated for making cooking fires. Uncontrolled fires may kill or injure scarce or endangered animals

Don’t damage the environment
Do not cut plants to make paths. If a path has become overgrown, move the vegetation out of the way, being careful of thorns. Do not pick up wood for fires, as a number of smaller creatures depend on detritus. Do not kick or shift rocks around as these may be home to insects and / or snakes. Any damage to the environment will be lasting.

Don’t damage historical artifacts and buildings
Do not use water or beverages to enhance photographs. Do not remove pieces of the artifacts or buildings to take along as souvenirs.

Don’t make a noise
Loud noises may drive off the animals and irritate people in the park.

Drive only on designated roads
Roads are clearly marked. Driving off the road will damage the environment and possibly kill or injure animals or other travellers.

Observe the speed limit in the park
Speed limits are marked by signs. Travellers and animals freely cross the roads, and exceeding the speed limit may cause death or injury.

Walk only on designated paths
Walking off the path may cause damage to the environment or bring the traveller into contact with wild animals. Additionally, as the bush is dense, if a traveller moves off the paths, he or she may be difficult to locate in the event of an injury or incapacitation.

Firearms must be sealed
This includes catapults, bows and arrows, crossbows, handguns, slings and catapults.

Don’t bring animals into the park
Animals may attack or threaten endangered wildlife, and may bring diseases into the park.

Obey the ranger or guide on game drives
Only leave the vehicle when the ranger or guide says that it is safe to do so. Only walk on paths that the ranger or guide points out. If the ranger or guide issues a warning concerning an animal, obey him or her without hesitation.

* Endangered species such as white rhino, roan and sable antelope
* More than 200 bird species, including a very small number of endangered Cape vultures
* Short, easy unaccompanied walks within the Namibian bush
* Historic battleground, the site of clashes between German colonialists and the Herero people
* Preserved dinosaur footprints
* Geology
* Hiking (guided and unaccompanied)

A part of the top of the Waterberg Plateau was declared a national monument in 1956. This step was taken to protect its unique flora. During the 1970s, the state began to purchase additional land on top of the plateau. In 1972, the entire top of the plateau was declared a national park.

The Waterberg is a massive escarpment that rises out of the flat, surrounding landscape. The cliff that surrounds the Waterberg Plateau is as high as 200 meters in places.

The plateau stretches approximately 48 km from the edge of the smaller Omuverume Plateau in the south west, to the edge of the Waterberg Plateau in the north east. The Omuverume Plateau is separated from the Waterberg Plateau by deep gorges. The width of the plateau varies between 8 km and 16 km.

The lush vegetation and suitability of the top of the plateau for wildlife is due to the fact that the soil on top of the plateau captures rain water. This water seeps into the porous sandstone, but cannot seep down further due to the harder stone below the sandstone that forms the top layer of the plateau. So eventually it flows down the sides of the plateau and rises up again in fountains in the shadow of the plateau.

The Waterberg Plateau Park was established as a breeding ground for rare and endangered species from around Namibia. The height of the plateau, 200 m in some parts, provides an island above the surrounding area, provides relative isolation and safety for the rare and endangered species. As a result, visitors may possibly see some of these species, though sightings will be rare and fleeting.

Threatened or endangered mammal species present in the Waterberg Plateau Park are, most notably, white rhino, roan and sable antelope. Other mammals include black rhino, tsessebe, oryx (gemsbok), duikers, Damara dik-dik, black-faced impala, klipspringer, steenbok, giraffe, kudu and warthogs.

Notable smaller mammals include the rock hyrax which establishes colonies and groups amongst the rocks of the cliff faces of the plateau, bush babies and the tiny antelope, the Damara dik dik.

The predator category consists of cheetahs, leopards, black-backed jackals, side-striped jackals and caracal cats.

The Chacma baboon is a less desirable inhabitant of the park, and visitors should be cautioned to keep well away.

The Waterberg Plateau Park is home to a breeding colony of highly endangered Cape vultures. The Cape vulture is highly endangered due to poisons put down by farmers against predators such as jackals. However the trend has reversed and numbers are recovering due to modern stock management techniques, and awareness on the part of farmers of the importance of not using poisons. The species breeds in the cliffs around the Waterberg.

A large amount of small game can be seen at the campsite, particularly in the early mornings and evenings. This may include monitor lizards and the tiny antelope the Damara dik dik. Troops of baboons may enter the campsite. Travellers should on no account attempt to get too close to the wildlife, and should move to a vehicle or bungalow and close and lock the doors and windows if baboons approach.

The larger game may be seen on top of the plateau, on a guided game drive or hike. A number of game and bird hides have been constructed to blend in with the environment. However sightings of particular species should never be guaranteed.

Part of the attraction for travellers is the very dense bush, and imagining how it would be to fight a battle in the vegetation. There are large numbers of thorn trees and very dense shrubs, so that movement through the bush, unless on a marked path, is difficult, and visibility is limited to a couple of meters.

More than 140 species of lichen have been recorded on the cliffs. There are also numerous species of ferns and flowering plants.

The leadwood tree is particularly interesting. As the traveller enters the park, a number of dead leadwood trees can be seen. These died due to a drop in the water table. Live specimens can be seen in other parts of the park. The wood is particularly hard and heavy, weighing more than 1,200 kg per cubic meter.

Fig trees, growing in crevices along the cliffs, are also of some interest.

The lush vegetation is due to the fact that the soil on top of the plateau captures rain water. This water seeps into the porous sandstone, but cannot seep down further due to the harder stone below the sandstone that forms the top layer of the plateau. So eventually it flows down the sides of the plateau and rises up again in fountains in the shadow of the plateau.

A number of rock engravings have been found at a mountain near the northern edge of the plateau. In the mid 19th century, the area was inhabited by San Bushmen, Damaras and Hereros. Following tensions between the Damara and the Hereros, the Damara relocated. German colonial forces gained a foothold at Waterberg in the late 19th century. Subsequent to huge tensions, war broke out between the Germans and the Hereros in 1904. The Hereros gathered in large numbers at Waterberg, but fled into the dry Omaheke region where thousands died. For more on the gathering tension and the Herero genocide, see ‘Background for clients and guides’, below.

The area at the foot of the Waterberg, where the German forces and missionaries settled, can still be seen today. The ruins of the mission station are visible on one of the walks, as is the graveyard. However it must be noted that only a few of the graves are of soldiers who died during the skirmishes, and that many of the graves are of typhoid victims. The old police station has been converted into a restaurant.

Although there are no precious or semi-precious specimens to be purchased or found at Waterberg, the area will still be of interest to those who are interested in geology. The plateau was formed by when a large segment of rock was forced upwards along fault lines hundreds of millions of years ago, and subsequently eroded, exposing geological history to the naked eye.

In the main area of the park, travellers can climb a steep path up the side of the plateau, getting a very close look at the rocks that form the plateau’s geological history.

There are a number of dinosaur footprints preserved at a site on top of the Waterberg Plateau. These are noted as the herbivores Massospondylus, Tritylodon, Pachygeneles, Melanorosaurus, and the carnivore Gryponyx.

The reptiles left their footprints in wet mud, some 200 million years ago. The footprints dried, were covered with sand blown over by the wind, and became fossilized with the passing of time.

There are a number of examples of San rock art on top of the plateau at Karakuwisa Mountain. The age of this rock art is undetermined. The rock art can be seen on one of the longer hikes on top of the plateau.

Travellers can do three and four day guided and unaccompanied hikes on the top of the plateau. The guided hike is accompanied by an armed ranger. Shelters and water sources are available, but travellers must otherwise be self-sufficient.

During the dry, winter months, Waterberg can be reached in a small 2 X 4 sedan. In the rainy summer months, the D2512 may be washed away or extremely muddy, and travellers should phone ahead to ascertain the quality of the road. A 4X4 offroad vehicle may be required to drive the last 18 km under these circumstances.

The Waterberg Plateau Park visitor facilities are located in the Bernabe de la Bat rest camp, where visitors can do short walks in the bush and look at the ruins and the cemetery. To see the top of the plateau and visit the dinosaur footprints, the visitor needs to go on a guided game drive booked in and departing from Bernabe de la Bat.

Waterberg is normally scheduled on the route between Windhoek and Etosha, particularly as the next destination after arrival in Windhoek.

Windhoek
* Travel north on the B1 to Okahandja (approx. 66 km)
* Continue on the B1 to the C22 (approx. 140 km)
* Turn right onto the C22 towards Okakarara and drive to the D2512 turn-off (approx. 41 km)
* Follow the D2512 to the Waterberg turn-off (approx. 18 km)

Okaukuejo / Outjo
* From Okaukuejo, drive south on the C38 to Outjo (approx. 114)
* From Outjo continue on the C38 to Otjiwarongo (approx. 66km)
* From Otjiwarongo, drive along the B1 to the C22 turn-off (approx. 28 km)
* Turn left onto the C22 towards Okakarara and drive to the D2512 turn-off (approx. 41 km)
* Follow the D2512 to the Waterberg turn-off (approx. 18 km)

Namutoni / Tsumeb / Otavi
* From Namutoni, head east on the C38 to the B1 (approx. 36 km)
* Follow the B1 to Tsumeb (approx. 74 km)
* From Tsumeb follow the B1 to Otavi (approx. 62 km)
* Continue on the B1 to Otjiwarongo (approx. 119 km)
* From Otjiwarongo, drive along the B1 to the C22 turn-off (approx. 28 km)
* Turn left onto the C22 towards Okakarara and drive to the D2512 turn-off (approx. 41 km)
* Follow the D2512 to the Waterberg turn-off (approx. 18 km)

Omaruru
* Head north on the C33 to Otjiwarongo (approx. 135 km)
* From Otjiwarongo, drive along the B1 to the C22 turn-off (approx. 28 km)
* Turn left onto the C22 towards Okakarara and drive to the D2512 turn-off (approx. 41 km)
* Follow the D2512 to the Waterberg turn-off (approx. 18 km)

Khorixas
* Head east on the C39 to Outjo (approx 131 km)
* From Outjo continue on the C38 to Otjiwarongo (approx. 66km)
* From Otjiwarongo, drive along the B1 to the C22 turn-off (approx. 28 km)
* Turn left onto the C22 towards Okakarara and drive to the D2512 turn-off (approx. 41 km)
* Follow the D2512 to the Waterberg turn-off (approx. 18 km)

There are a number of easy walks, short walks around the Bernabe de la Bat facility, which can be undertaken without a guide. Trails are cut through the bush, and signboards mark and explain items of interest.

Mountain View walk
The Mountain view walk involves a relatively easy climb up the side of the plateau. At the top of the plateau, visitors can look down on the Bernabe de la Bat facility and out over the surrounding landscape. Fitness, and a good pair of boots are required.

Kambazembi Walk
The Kambazembi walk, is a walk along the base of the plateau. The duration of the walk is in the region of three hours. This walk is particularly popular with birdwatchers.

Mission Way Walk
Mission Way walk shows walkers a number of sites of historical interest. Starting at the restaurant, which was once the old police station, it proceeds past the ruins of the old mission station, and on to the old graveyard. The duration of the walk is 45 minutes to an hour.

Rising up out of the flat African savannahs, the cliffs of the Waterberg Plateau, form a rock island refuge for endangered species and the memory of forgotten times. Once a battleground, the Waterberg is now a sanctuary for rare and endangered species such as the white rhino, roan and sable antelope, and the vulnerable Cape vulture. With easy walking trails and guided game drives to search for endangered species, a visit to the Waterberg brings travellers into contact with Africa, in a way that few other destinations can.

Rising up out of the flat African savannahs, the tall cliffs of the Waterberg Plateau, form a rock island refuge for endangered species and the memory of forgotten times.

Formed by the rise and fall of oceans, the passing of ice sheets and endless deserts and geological turmoil, the plateau was once home to dinosaurs who left their footprints in mud that turned to stone. In more recent times, the springs that trickled from its sides gave life to San Bushmen, Damaras and Hereros. But the arrival of German colonial forces turned the area below the cliffs into a battleground, and etched a scar on history.

Today the Waterberg is a sanctuary for rare and endangered species such as the white rhino, roan and sable antelope, and the vulnerable Cape vulture. The base of the cliffs and the top of the plateau has been reclaimed, and a proliferation of plants challenges walkers, hikers and explorers, while providing good hiding for the elusive, endangered animals.

With easy walking trails and guided game drives to search for endangered species, a visit to the Waterberg brings travellers into contact with Africa, in a way that few other destinations can.

‘Waterberg’ means ‘water mountain’. The name is derived from the fact that the plateau is covered with a layer of soil that absorbs water which is blocked from draining away by the layer of rock below, and flows down the sides of the plateau to rise below the plateau in fountains or springs.

‘Otjozondjupa’ is the Herero name for a fountain on top of the Waterberg. It means ‘the place of the calabash’ .This name was given due to the many calabashes growing around the fountain. The administrative region in which the Waterberg lies has been named Otjozondjupa as well.

Summer days are very hot, with the temperature often climbing as high as 40 C. In winter, the midday is warm, but the nighttime temperature can fall below 0 C.

The Waterberg has a tragic history, which is still the subject of a large amount of sensitivity and controversy.

In the 1850s, the area was occupied by San Bushmen, Damaras and Hereros. In the 1870, Herero chief Kambazembi trekked from Kaokoland to Waterberg with his cattle. Although he didn’t settle there, he laid claim to the area and gave left supervisors with orders that no Europeans were allowed to settle in the area.

In 1871, the missionary Carl Hugo Hahn visited the area and requested permission to build a mission in the area, however Kambazembi denied permission and instead asked Hahn and his companions to travel with the Herero as they herded their cattle.

In 1873, against the wishes of Maharero, the Paramount Chief of the Herero, and without permission from Kambazembi or the Rhenish Church to which the missionaries belonged, established a mission at Waterberg. These missionaries reported tension between the San Bushmen, the Hereros and the Damaras.

In 1892, Kambazembi settled at Otjozondjupa. In 1894, a drought broke out. Kambazembi forbade the planting of seeds and ordered that the water should be used for cattle.

In 1895, a delegation including then colonial governor Leutwein and Paramount Chief Maharero visited Kambazembi and demanded that in terms of the Treaty of Protection, between the Germans and the Hereros, Kambazembi should cede large amounts of land north of the Waterberg and only graze his cattle south of the Waterberg.

Kambazembi disputed Maharero’s claim to the position of Paramount Chief and refused to sign the Treaty or cede the land. However, without his knowing, Kambazembi’s son, Kandjunga signed the contract.

In 1896, Chief Nikodemus, a relative of Kambazembi and an alternative claimant to the position of Paramount Chief led an uprising. The uprising was suppressed by the colonial forces, the Schutztruppe, and Nikodemus, was executed.

At the same time, a drought broke out. Kambazembi, realizing that he was in no position to fight, negotiated for his cattle to remain in the unaffected area which had been ceded by his son. As a concession, he allowed crops to be cultivated at Waterberg.

In 1897, rindepest, a cattle disease broke out. The German colonial government insisted that all cattle be inoculated. They then sent a force of 70 soldiers to collect fees for inoculations. Once again, the Hereros were in no position to argue the matter, and paid the fees. Eighteen men stayed behind to establish an outpost.

In 1903, Kambazembi died. As he had forbidden the sale of land to traders, he left a large amount of land which was divided between his sons Kandjunga and Salathiel.

However the German colonial forces had a firm foothold and the scene was now set for the events which were to follow.

Due to the loss of land to treaties, and cattle and land used to repay traders, the Hereros began to feel the strain of the German colonial occupation. An ultimatum was given to Maharero to take up arms or give up his position as Paramount Chief of the Herero.

On 11 January 1904, Maharero gave the order to kill the Germans. On 14 January, 17 German men were killed at Waterberg. The only male to survive was the missionary Eich. The attacks continued and more than 100 German traders and farmers were killed.

The Germans sent a small contingent of marines and engineers to Swakopmund. These skirmished with the Hereros as they made their way towards Okahandja. Ultimately the Germans held and controlled Okahandja, Gobabis, Otjimbingwe and Omaruru, but the losses were unacceptable and a political liability in Germany. Colonial governor Leutwein’s leadership abilities were questioned.

In June, General Lothar von Trotha was sent to the colony to assume military command.

Hereros were gathering at Waterberg with their women, children and cattle. Paramount Chief Maharero and Chiefs Riarua, Zeraua, Michael and Tjetjo were also present. Estimates of the Herero numbers range between 35,000 and 85,000, with 5,000 to 6,000 guns at their disposal.

In August, Von Trotha set off towards Waterberg with a force of 103 officers, 1,448 guns, 212 machine guns and 30 cannons. On 11 August skirmishes took place in the area, and with superior weaponry, the Germans soon took control of a large number of waterholes, vital for the Herero’s general wellbeing and their cattle.

The next day, a number of skirmishes took place, but signalers at the top of the plateau noticed large clouds of dust to the east. The major body of the Hereros had retreated south eastwards into the bone-dry Omaheke area.

On the 13th, the Germans took up pursuit. They found cattle, men, women and children dying of thirst. They continued pursuit until the 14th when they, themselves, were unable to continue, and only resumed the pursuit on 27 August. Von Trotha went on to throw up a cordon around the Omaheke, forcing the surviving Hereros to remain and die of thirst or flee to Bechuanaland, which became Botswana.

On 2 October, Von Trotha issued what is known as the ‘extermination order’, which effectively stated that all Herero males within the borders of the German colonial area would be shot on sight, and that women and children would be chased out of the country.

ON 3 October, Hendrik Witbooi rebelled in the south, preventing the order from being carried out in practice, however it is known that thousands of Hereros were interned and shot.

Revulsion at the order in Germany and other countries led to it being rescinded by Kaiser Wilhelm on 8 December 1904, but the Omaheke was cordoned off until the middle of 1905, effectively sealing the fate of the Hereros.

As a result, large Herero communities formed in Botswana. Post independence in 1990, the Hereros began to return, however many have chosen to remain.

The issue of reparation for lands lost by the Hereros is still an ongoing topic of debate.

The Cape griffon vulture, Gyps coprotheres, is classified as vulnerable on the World Conservation Union’s Red List. This means that it is in danger of becoming extinct in the wild. The current population is estimated to have fallen to 8,000 from an estimated 12,000 in 1997.

Once found across Southern Africa, the species has declined rapidly. This is due to a number of reasons.

As farming edged out areas where wild animals roamed and died, a large number of Cape vultures died of starvation. Hyenas which chewed up the bones of carcasses also died or moved on. The bone fragments that the hyenas left behind after they finished with a carcass were a vital part of the vulture diet. Without the calcium from the bones, the vultures suffered, and chicks were born with malformed bones.

Many farmers held the belief that vultures carried diseases which were transmitted to their cattle when vultures drank from the same water as their cattle. As a result, farmers put out poisoned carcasses. Cape vultures also fell prey to poisons put out to get rid of predators such as jackals.

Other reasons for the decline in the species include electrocution on pylons and wires carrying electricity, and use of Cape vulture body parts in traditional African medicines and healing practices know as ‘muti’.

The use of parts of the vulture in muti is due to the belief that vultures communicate with the dead, explaining why they are so quickly able to find carcasses. Many African religions believe that communicating with dead ancestors is important. By eating the brain of the vulture, the African witchdoctor, the ‘sangoma’, receives greater powers to communicate with the dead. The foot of a vulture is said to bring good luck in gambling.

Most of the vulture’s bad reputation comes from the fact that it scavenges carcasses. However this is a very important part of the cycle of nature. The vulture assists in dismembering the carcass. By tearing at the skin and flesh, the vulture opens the carcass to other creatures which eat the flesh. These creatures, in their turn, also enter the food chain. And it must also be noted that the vultures speed up the process of decomposition of the carcass.

Extinction of the Cape vulture will be a loss to the ecology of Southern Africa, and a major conservation effort is underway to save the species. As a part of this conservation effort, a number of breeding pairs have been relocated to the Waterberg Plateau Park, where the cliffs around the plateau, provide perfect nesting sites for breeding.

The Cape vulture constructs its nest of grass, on ledges on cliffs and occasionally in trees. Sometimes the nest will contain heather, bracken and be surrounded by a few sticks. Building the nest takes as much as two months. When completed, the nest will be about 45 cm across, and 15 cm deep. The vultures breed in colonies so groups of 6 – 100 nests are common.

One egg per breeding pair is laid in winter, normally between April and June. Both the male and the female incubate the egg for 52 days after which the egg hatches. Both sexes look after the chick while it is very small. The young Cape vulture grows very quickly. After a while the parents begin to leave it alone in the nest for long periods. When it is between 80 – 90 days old, it makes its first flight.

Once it leaves the nest, the young Cape vulture flies to a nursery area, where it joins other young members of its species. It will reach sexual maturity aged between five and six years, when it returns to the place of its birth. Only about 20% survive to return. If it survives, the Cape vulture will live for about 25 years.

The adult vulture has pale feathers over most of its body, and black feathers on its tail and the trailing edges of its wings. It is a very large, strong bird that can chase off jackals and warthogs, standing up to a more than one meter in height with a wing span of up to 2,55 meters.

When not breeding, it roosts with other vultures on a cliff or in the branches of a tree. It only comes down to the plains to feed and drink. It takes flight in the early morning when the wind conditions are right, and often flies at such a great height that it is not visible to the naked eye. It will fly very long distances in order to feed.

The Cape vulture makes very little sound most of the time, but occasionally uses hisses, loud cackles and grating noises.

Efforts to ensure the survival of the Cape vulture include education of farmers, bans on poisons, shielding of electrical wires, public talks and awareness campaigns, vulture restaurants at which safe carcasses are provided and ongoing study.

Approximately 300 million years ago, Namibia was part of the giant super continent known as Gondwanaland. Gondwanaland lay in the area of the South Pole. Gondwanaland gradually shifted northwards, warming up, and the ice melted leaving behind valleys and depressions.

The climate continued to change. Rivers flowed, carrying first rubble and sand, mixed with red conglomerate. A large, shallow basin formed in the area of the Waterberg. This was known as the Omigonde Basin.

Over millions of years sand was blown and washed into the Omigonde formation, and the layer hardened, forming sandstone, known as the Etjo formation..

About 150 million years ago, most of Namibia was covered by a second large sheet of ice. However after more warming, the ice began to melt, causing huge floods. At the same time the sea level was rising, covering large parts of Namibia.

The floods caused the southern part of the country to sink, however a fault line in the Omigonde formation stretched between what are now Grootfontein and Omaruru. This sinking southern part of the land mass forced a fault in the Omigonde Basin about 700 meters upwards, creating the beginning of the Waterberg Plateau. At this stage, the plateau was far larger and level.

For many millions of years, erosion continued, breaking off edges of the huge plateau and reducing it in height. The plateau also tilted downwards, raising the northern edge and forming Okurakuvisa Mountains.

Today, parts of the geological history of the area can be read in the walls that still rear up at the edges of the plateau.