Globe > Africa > Mauritania > Ouadane > Richat Structure
Richat Structure
A geological bull's-eye visible from outer space
Category Natural Wonders, Geological Oddities
Richat Structure seen from above.
Source en.wikipedia.org
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, or 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 a crater due to its circularity, the unusual formation is now widely believed to have been caused by the erosion of what was once a volcanic dome. Over time, desert weather has caused the volcano to gradually shed layers, resulting in the structure's remarkable flatness.
See an error? Know more? Edit this place.
- Address Ouadane, Mauritania
Comments
-
Anonymous
August 22, 2009
If you check this out in google maps, you'll find that the formation contained within a larger almond shaped area, giving it an even more eye-like appearance than the photo above would indicate
Post a Comment