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Located in Mauritania's expansive, wind-swept deserts is a geological wonder so immense that it remained hidden in plain sight for centuries. This is the Richat Structure, better known as the Eye of the Sahara. Its true scale only became apparent when humans ventured into space, and NASA's 1965 Gemini 4 mission captured the first photographs.

Spanning approximately 40 kilometers in diameter, its concentric rings of rock create a hypnotic visual effect, drawing onlookers into a vortex of historical and geological mysteries. Among the most compelling of these is the theory that the Eye of the Sahara could be the location of the lost city of Atlantis.

The legend of Atlantis, first mentioned by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato around 360 BC, tells of a powerful and advanced civilization that disappeared without a trace after falling out of favor with the gods.

According to Plato, Atlantis was situated beyond the "Pillars of Hercules," the term used in antiquity to refer to the mountainous peaks flanking the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar. The description of Atlantis, with its concentric rings of water and land, bears a striking resemblance to the Eye of the Sahara, leading some to speculate that this could be the site of the legendary city.

Supporters of this hypothesis argue that the dimensions and structure align with ancient texts, claiming that the Sahara was once a lush and habitable region that could have supported such a civilization.

However, despite its allure, this theory holds little water among the scientific community. Geological evidence and a lack of tangible archaeological proof have steered experts towards more plausible explanations for the Eye's creation.

Geologists have determined that the Richat Structure is a natural geological dome that has been sculpted over millions of years. Initially formed through volcanic activity, the dome was gradually eroded away by wind and water, revealing the layered sedimentary rock beneath.

This process, known as differential erosion, accounts for the distinctive rings of color and texture that make the Eye so visually compelling. Radiometric dating places the formation of the structure far earlier than any conceivable timeline for Atlantis, with the rocks at its center dating back over 100 million years.

Beyond its geological significance, the area surrounding the Eye of the Sahara does indeed hold evidence of actual human habitation and activity. Archaeological discoveries have unearthed stone tools, pottery, and other artifacts, indicating that the region was once home to thriving communities.

The climate of the Sahara was vastly different thousands of years ago, with more hospitable conditions that supported not only human life but also a variety of flora and fauna.

This green Sahara, or "Sahara pump theory," suggests that the region underwent periodic phases of increased rainfall, transforming the desert into a savanna at various points in prehistory.

Such conditions would have been conducive to establishing and maintaining human settlements. However, they were far too early and primitive to match the impressive descriptions of Atlantis...