Earth ObservatoryScienceEarth ObservatoryEyeing the Richat StructureEarthEarth ObservatoryImage of the DayEO ExplorerTopicsAll TopicsAtmosphereLandHeat & RadiationLife on EarthHuman DimensionsNatural EventsOceansRemote Sensing TechnologySnow & IceWaterMore ContentCollectionsGlobal MapsWorld of ChangeArticlesNotes from the Field BlogEarth Matters BlogBlue Marble: Next GenerationEO KidsMission: BiomesAboutAbout UsSubscribe🛜 RSSContact UsSearch March 5 and March 6, 2026JPEG (9.03 MB)References & ResourcesAbdeina, E.H., et al. (2024) How old is the Eye of Africa? A polyphase history for the igneous Richat Structure, Mauritania. Lithos, 107698.Abdeina, E.H., et al. (2021) Geophysical modelling of the deep structure of the Richat magmatic intrusion (northern Mauritania): insights into its kinematics of emplacement. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 14(22), 2315.The Debrief (2021, April 16) The Richat Structure: The “Eye of the Sahara” is One of Earth’s Strangest Marvels. Accessed April 8, 2026.GĂ©oconscience, Adrar Plateau. Accessed April 8, 2026.International Commission on Geoheritage, Richat Structure, A Cretaceous Alkaline Complex. Accessed April 8, 2026.Matton, G., et al. (2005) Resolving the Richat enigma: Doming and hydrothermal karstification above an alkaline complex. Geology, 33 (8), 665-668.Matton, G. & JĂ©brak, M. (2014) The “eye of Africa” (Richat dome, Mauritania): An isolated Cretaceous alkaline–hydrothermal complex. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 97, 109-124.NASA Earth Observatory (2022, July 10) The Eye of the Sahara. Accessed April 8, 2026.National Archives (1965, June 4) Richat Structure. Accessed April 8, 2026.You may also be interested in:Stay up-to-date with the latest content from NASA as we explore the universe and discover more about our home planet. Rings of Rock in the Sahara 3 min read In southeastern Libya, Jabal Arkanū’s concentric rock rings stand as relics of past geologic forces that churned beneath the desert.Article A Bit of Gray on an Emerald Isle 3 min read Ireland is best known for its many greens, but the striking grays of the island’s Burren region also stand out…Article The Towers of TrĂ ng An 3 min read Over millions of years, water has sculpted limestone in northern Vietnam into an extraordinary karst landscape full of towers, cones,…Article1234NextKeep ExploringDiscover More from NASA Earth ScienceSubscribe to Earth Observatory NewslettersSubscribe to the Earth Observatory and get the Earth in your inbox.Earth Observatory Image of the DayNASA’s Earth Observatory brings you the Earth, every day, with in-depth stories and stunning imagery.Explore Earth ScienceEarth Science DataOpen access to NASA’s archive of Earth science data