Tuesday, March 11, 2025

The Eye of Africa

 


This phenomena is also known as the Eye of the Sahara or the Richat Structure, this fascinating geological formation is located on the Anrar Plateau in Mauritania, approximately 350 miles east of Mali, in the Western Sahara.

The Eye of the Sahara is a giant rock dome with concentric rings that resemble a large blue eye when viewed from above. Estimates of its dimensions range from 25 to 31 miles.

The eye is a remarkable structure that is visible from space and has been known by astronauts and scientists since the 1950s. For centuries, only a few nomadic tribes were aware of its existence. The first photographs of the formation were taken in the 1960s by Gemini astronauts, who used it as a landmark for landing.

The Eye of the Sahara is one of the most striking geological features on Earth, consisting of a series of concentric rings. Initially, geologists believed this formation to be an impact crater; however, they have since concluded that the Eye of the Sahara is geological uplift exposed by wind and water erosion. It is composed of rocks that are at least 100 million years old, with some dating back to a time before life existed on Earth.

Sources:

www.livescience.com

www.thoughtco.com

www.sciencedirect.com

www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov

Photos:

www.NASA.gov

www.USGS.gov

 

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