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Richat Structure

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science5 days ago•158 min saved

Earth’s Eye: Mauritania’s Richat Structure dazzles from space in the ISS photo of the day

Space.com highlights Mauritania’s Richat Structure—a 25-mile circular geologic feature nicknamed the Eye of Africa—that’s clearly visible from space. NASA astronaut Jessica Meir photographed it from the International Space Station, continuing a tradition that began in 1965 when Gemini IV astronauts Ed White and James McDivitt captured the formation. The concentric ridges create a striking, Earth-art-like swirl that has fascinated observers since its first distant-eye view from orbit.

via Space|

#eye-of-africa #international-space-station #jessica-meir

science4 months ago•6 min saved

NASA Rewrites the Eye of the Sahara's Origin: A Dome of Uplift and Erosion

NASA’s Earth Observatory reveals, via Landsat 9 and Landsat 8 imagery, that Mauritania's Richat Structure—the Eye of the Sahara—is not an impact crater but a giant, multi-layered dome formed by an ancient igneous intrusion uplifted during the Cretaceous and sculpted by differential erosion, producing the concentric rings visible from space and offering insights into Earth's tectonic and erosional history.

via Indian Defence Review|

#erosion #eye-of-the-sahara #geology

earth-science4 months ago•3 min saved

The Sahara's Eye Unveiled: A Landsat View of the Richat Structure

NASA’s Eye of the Sahara, the Richat Structure in Mauritania, is a 40-km-wide circular geologic dome formed by an igneous intrusion and differential erosion, not an impact crater. A Landsat 8/9 mosaic highlights concentric ridges (cuestas) and the orange-gray color differences that reflect diverse rock types, set on the Adrar Plateau amid wind-sculpted dunes and ancient river channels. First described in the 1930s and popularized after early spaceflight imagery, the feature’s striking “bull’s-eye” shape is a striking example of how geological forces shape the landscape.

via NASA Science (.gov)|

#earth-science #eye-of-the-sahara #geology

science8 months ago•2 min saved

Satellite Images Reveal the Secrets of the Eye of the Sahara

The 'Eye of the Sahara,' or Richat Structure, is a 50-kilometer-wide geological formation in Mauritania, visible from space and formed by ancient geological uplift and erosion. Recent satellite imagery from ESA reveals its layered sedimentary rocks, signs of erosion, and some desert life, providing valuable insights into Earth's geological history and ecosystem, showcasing ESA's role in Earth observation.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#earth-observation #esa #geology

science-and-nature2 years ago•3 min saved

"Eye of the Sahara: Mauritania's Majestic Desert Dome"

The Eye of the Sahara, also known as the Richat Structure, is a massive, concentric rock formation in Mauritania visible from space. Initially thought to be a meteor impact site, it was later found to be shaped by tectonic uplift and erosion. The structure, which spans 25 to 31 miles in diameter, holds geological and archaeological significance, revealing ancient human tools and various rock types. Despite myths linking it to Atlantis, scientific evidence debunks such claims.

via Livescience.com|

#archaeology #eye-of-the-sahara #geology