Eye of the Sahara
The Richat Structure, also nicknamed the "Eye of the Sahara," is a geological wonder located in the Maur Adrar Desert of Mauritania. Initially mistaken for a possible impact crater, it is now known to be an eroded circular anticline (structural dome) of layered sedimentary rocks.
The concentric circles are layers of resistant rock exposed as softer rock around them eroded away. This fascinating process has created a bullseye-like target spanning nearly 50 kilometers in diameter. The Richat Structure continues to captivate scientists and the public alike, offering a glimpse into the طويلة (tawila, Arabic for "long") history of our planet.
Source: Modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2023) / Google Earth Engine
Are you interested in this topic?
At the University of Zurich, several researchers are actively studying multispectral and multitemporal satellite images. See howDr. Mathias Kneubühler, Dr. Andres Hueni, Dr. Kathrin Naegeli andDr. Claudia Röösli at the Department of Geography research as part of the group Remote Sensing Spectroscopy.
Are you a student that wants to learn more about this topic? Consider enrolling in these courses:
GEO 233: Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Science III (Basics of Remote Sensing)GEO 371: Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Science V (Remote Sensing Methods)GEO 442: Advanced Technologies and Methods in Passive Remote Sensing
GEO 443: Advanced Technologies and Methods in Active Remote Sensing