Eye of the Sahara

Source: Modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2023) / Google Earth Engine

The Richat Structure, also nicknamed the "Eye of the Sahara," is a geological wonder located in the Maur Adrar Desert of Mauritania. Initially mistaken for a possible impact crater, it is now known to be an eroded circular anticline (structural dome) of layered sedimentary rocks.

The concentric circles are layers of resistant rock exposed as softer rock around them eroded away. This fascinating process has created a bullseye-like target spanning nearly 50 kilometers in diameter. The Richat Structure continues to captivate scientists and the public alike, offering a glimpse into the طويلة (tawila, Arabic for "long") history of our planet.