Richat Structure, Ouadane, Mauritania
The Richat Structure, also called Guelb er Richât, the “Eye of Africa”, or “Eye of the Sahara” is a prominent and iconic circular feature in the Sahara’s Adrar Plateau, near Ouadane, west–central Mauritania.
In the midst of the vast, vacant Sahara desert, just outside of Ouadane, Mauritania, lies a 30-mile wide geological oddity known the Richat Structure, sometimes called the “Eye of Africa.” From space, this natural curiosity forms a distinct and unmistakable bull’s-eye that once served as a geographical landmark for early astronauts as they passed over the Sahara.
Once thought to be an impact crater due to its circularity, the unusual formation is now widely believed to have been caused by the erosion of what was once a geological dome. Over time, desert weather has caused the dome to gradually shed layers, resulting in the structure’s remarkable flatness.
Epic Mauritania Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound
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