Richat Structure
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(Redirected from Guelb er Richat)
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The Richat Structure is a prominent circular feature in the Sahara desert of Mauritania near Ouadane. It has attracted attention since the earliest space missions because it forms a conspicuous bull's-eye in the otherwise rather featureless expanse of the desert. The structure, which has a diameter of almost 50 kilometres (30 miles), has become a landmark for space shuttle crews.
Initially interpreted as a meteorite impact structure because of its high degree of circularity, it is now thought to be a symmetrical uplift (circular anticline or dome) that has been laid bare by erosion. Paleozoic quartzites form the resistant beds outlining the structure.
[edit] References
- Original entry was from the NASA Earth Observatory http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=9319
[edit] Further reading
- Guillaume Matton, Michel Jébrak and James K.W. Lee (August 2005). "Resolving the Richat enigma: Doming and hydrothermal karstification above an alkaline complex". Geology 33 (8): 665–668. doi:.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Richat Structure |
- NASA Earth Observatory page
- Astronomy Picture of the Day
- View satellite image in Google Maps
- Line of Muritanian desert craters
Coordinates: 21°7′29.67″N 11°24′12.96″W / 21.1249083°N 11.4036°W
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