[winoneforthegipper]

A few years back I read a few scientific articles on how the formation of the Sahara commenced, was Namib the same way?

Forgive me I don't know if all deserts formed the same way.

[winoneforthegipper]

Today we had in succession up the coast we had a quake in Argentina, then Peru, then Panama, then Haiti, and then the Cayman Islands.

Haiti, is slightly north of the Caymans but I think the theory will still hold. If this is true there should be a response in the next few hours from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge perhaps as far north as the European intersection.

[stormer]

The Namib is the world's oldest desert (55 million years). It's hyper-arid because it's at a latitude where the air descends and dries - Patagonian, Great Australian, and Kalahari Deserts are at the same latitude. The sand is primarily from sediments carried down the Orange River (Namibia/South Africa border) and deposited on shore by the north flowing Benguela current. It is then blown inland by the prevailing westerlies. Anyone having even a remote interest in visiting Africa should consider Namibia - it is absolutely spectacular - I been several times, and would highly recommend it.