07/05/2026
The Eye of the Sahara is one of Earth's most extraordinary natural formations. 🌍🌀
Officially known as the Richat Structure, this massive circular feature lies in the Sahara Desert of Mauritania and stretches about 25 to 30 miles (40–50 kilometers) across. Its striking pattern is so distinctive that astronauts often use it as a landmark when viewing Earth from orbit.
Scientists once proposed that the formation was created by a meteorite impact or volcanic activity. Today, the leading explanation is that it began as a giant geological dome. Over millions of years, wind and water eroded the surrounding rock at different rates, revealing the remarkable series of concentric rings visible today.
The Richat Structure has also inspired theories linking it to the lost city of Atlantis because of its circular appearance. However, there is no scientific evidence supporting that connection.
From the ground, it appears as an ordinary rocky landscape. Its iconic "eye" shape only becomes visible from high above, making it one of the most fascinating geological features on our planet.