Eye of the Sahara: a Geological Wonder in the Mauritanian Desert

Photo byPhoto by Wolfgang Hasselmann on Unsplash

The Eye of the Sahara, also known as the Richat structure, is a striking geological formation in the Mauritanian desert, resembling a giant bullseye from above. Spanning approximately 25 to 31 miles in diameter, this massive dome has been visible from space since the 1950s. Initially considered an impact crater, it was later determined to be formed by tectonic uplift during the Cretaceous period (145 to 66 million years ago), with its current appearance shaped by erosion.

The structure rises about 660 feet above the surrounding sands of the Erg Oudane desert, which stretches roughly 350 miles. It consists of a central plateau of limestone and breccias, surrounded by concentric ridges and grooves carved by wind and water. The outer rings of the formation reveal various igneous rocks and faults, indicating significant geological activity.

Aside from its geological interest, the Eye of the Sahara holds archaeological value. Excavations have uncovered Acheulean and pre-Acheulean tools, dating back 2 million years, associated with early human ancestors such as Homo erectus and Homo heidelbergensis.

Some have speculated that the Eye of the Sahara is the remnants of the mythical lost city of Atlantis described by Plato. However, this theory has been debunked by modern archaeology and geology, which attribute the formation to natural processes rather than ancient civilizations.