One of the most mysterious formations on the planet, known as the "Eye of the Sahara", has regained the attention of scientists after a new analysis from NASA Earth Observatory, which refutes the old theory that it was created by a meteorite impact.

Located in Mauritania, the formation known scientifically as the Richat Structure appears as a giant circular structure with a diameter of about 40 kilometers. From space, it looks like a large “eye” carved into the desert, becoming a landmark for astronauts crossing the Sahara Desert. According to the study, the structure is not an impact crater, but a raised geological dome (anticline), which was formed by natural processes on Earth. Over millions of years, layers of rock have been raised and then gradually eroded, creating the characteristic concentric rings.

A key element in its formation is the so-called differential erosion – a process where different types of rock are worn away at different rates. As a result, some more resistant layers remain in the form of circular ridges, while others disappear. The analysis photos were taken from the International Space Station, where the “Eye” immediately stands out among the uniformity of the desert. The latest image was taken in 2020 with a Nikon D5 camera and has been processed to highlight the details of the structure.

Beyond the visual aspect, the study also highlights the global role of the Sahara. Every year, according to NASA data, about 182 million tons of dust rise into the atmosphere from this desert. A significant part of this dust reaches the Amazon, supplying the soil with nutrients such as phosphorus. Meanwhile, NOAA describes the phenomenon of the “Saharan Air Layer”, a dry and dust-rich air mass that travels thousands of kilometers and affects global weather, including the development of tropical storms. The new discovery turns the Richat Structure into a clear example of how nature can create spectacular forms without external intervention, proving that even the harshest landscapes are part of a dynamic system that affects the entire planet.

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