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.

This image was acquired on January 11, 2001, by Landsat 7’s Enhanced Thematic Mapper plus (ETM+) sensor.
This is a false-color composite image made using shortwave infrared, infrared, and green wavelengths, and has been sharpened using the sensor’s panchromatic band.

Credit: NASA/GSFC/USGS EROS Data Center

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