The Richat Structure (Eye of the Sahara) – Mauritania

The Richat Structure, often called the "Eye of the Sahara," is a striking 40-km-wide circular geological formation in Mauritania's desert. Visible from space, this natural wonder features concentric rings of eroded sedimentary rock creating a bullseye pattern. Once mistaken for a meteorite crater, scientists now believe it formed through uplift and erosion over 100 million years. Its origin remains debated, with theories ranging from volcanic activity to symmetrical geological uplift. The structure's perfect circularity and enormous scale continue to puzzle geologists, while its otherworldly appearance attracts researchers and adventurers alike. Some even speculate it inspired Plato's description of Atlantis.