images

Richat structure, Mauritania, seen from space

by

Nasa/Novapix

Reference

t-afmau-00004

Date

2010-01-25

The so-called Richat Structure is a geological formation in the Maur Adrar Desert in the African country of Mauritania. Although it resembles an impact crater, the Richat Structure formed when a volcanic dome hardened and gradually eroded, exposing the onion-like layers of rock.
Image taken from the space shuttle Atlantis in May 2000.