The Richat Structure in Mauritania

The spectacular Richat Structure in the Sahara Desert of Mauritania is featured in this false-colour image acquired by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission on 10 September 2025.

This remarkable formation exposes layers of sedimentary rock in different places, depending on the rates of erosion on the varying rock types. The false-colour combination makes it easier to appreciate the different geology. The more erosion-resistant quartzite sandstones appear in shades of red and pink and form the outer rings and high ridges internally, with valleys of less-resistant rock between them visible as darker areas. 

At the structure's southern side, individual trees and bushes can be spotted as tiny purple dots following a dry riverbed structure.