There are many theories surrounding the origin of the Eye of the Sahara. Some believe it is the lost city Atlantisothers, that a giant meteorite It impacted the Earth and there are those who are convinced that there was activity there alien.
This strange formation, of circular shape, generates more doubts than certainties. Not even the scientists themselves are sure what it is.
The Eye of the Sahara, formally called the Richat Structure, was discovered by chance in 1965, and in an unusual way.
Two NASA astronauts were carrying out the “Gemini 4” mission when they saw from space, in the middle of the largest desert in the world, near the city of Oudane, in Mauritaniathis structure that, at first glance, resembles a spiral.
Why wasn’t the Eye of the Sahara discovered sooner and from a closer location? Easy. Because it is located in an inhospitable place, very little frequented. Furthermore, because it is a gigantic formation – it has 50 kilometers in diameter– can’t be seen up close.
The origins of the Eyes of the Sahara
The origin of this formation still could not be established exactly, although there are several theories
The first hypothesis formulated by specialists is that it could be the meteorite impactwhich would explain its circle shape.
However, in later years, scientists pointed out that it could have been created by molten volcanic rock that pushed up a Dome creating a symmetrical structure of an anticline dome and the current shape is due to erosion over millions of years.
According to National Geographic, sedimentary sampling that has been done in the area indicates that it was formed approximately 542 million years. This would place it in the late Proterozoic period.
The different colors of the structure are a product of the different types of roca That composes. Among them, fine-grained rhyolite and thick crystalline gabbro rocks have stood out.
The relationship with Atlantis
A theory that has strength around this geological formation is that it could be the mythical Atlantis, the lost city that the philosopher talks about. Plato.
The assumption is created from the description of the place: this city, erected by Neptune, in addition to being a military fortress, was characterized by being circular and be divided into concentric circles of interspersed land and water.
But for now, they are all hypotheses.