The Eye of the Sahara, also known as the “Richat Structure”, is located in the western part of the Sahara Desert within the territory of Mauritania. It is a giant concentric circular formation and is hailed as one of the ten most spectacular geological wonders. When viewed from the air, the Eye of the Sahara resembles a city with a diameter of 50 kilometers.

The Eye of the Sahara has a diameter of 50 kilometers and a height of about 400 meters above sea level. It appears quite flat overall, resembling a cephalopod shell, and can only be fully appreciated from a satellite’s orbit around the Earth. Initially thought to be a meteorite impact crater, the central structure is flat and lacks geological evidence of high temperatures or impacts. It is also unlikely to be a volcano as there is no circular dome of igneous rock deposits found in the area. It is now generally believed that the Eye of the Sahara is the result of simultaneous terrain uplift and erosion processes; the concentric circular pattern of the structure is attributed to the more resistant Paleozoic quartzite, but this does not explain why the Eye of the Sahara is so large and perfectly round. In conclusion, the origin of the Eye of the Sahara remains elusive.

Eye of the Sahara (Richat Structure)

Reason to visit: One of the most rare geological landscapes in the world

Continent where the attraction is located: Africa

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Mauritania

Province/State where the attraction is located: Adrar Region