The Richat Structure, Mauritania
The Richat Structure, a striking circular geological formation in the Sahara Desert of central Mauritania, is among the most distinctive landforms visible from space. Measuring around 40 kilometres in diameter, this feature, also known as the “Eye of the Sahara”, consists of concentric rings of exposed sedimentary rock. Once believed to be an impact crater, it is now recognised as a deeply eroded geological dome shaped by uplift and prolonged erosion over millions of years.
The Richat Structure is visible in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image acquired on 27 September 2025.
The Copernicus Sentinel satellites play a key role in monitoring remote regions worldwide by delivering essential data about their conditions. This information is essential for tracking changes in these areas and studying geological processes.
