The Richat Structure's distinctive circular pattern is the result of millions of years of erosion on an uplifted geologic dome. Composed primarily of sedimentary rocks, the structure also features igneous intrusions such as rhyolites and gabbros in its inner rings12. The formation process involved complex geological activities, including ring faults and intense hydrothermal activity through fractured substructure3. This led to the creation of gabbroic ring dikes over a large intrusive body of magma, which, when exposed to differential erosion, formed the alternating hard and soft rock layers visible today as concentric rings or cuestas3.

Archaeological excavations at the Richat Structure have yielded significant Acheulean and pre-Acheulean artifacts, providing evidence of human activity dating back approximately 2 million years12. These findings, associated with Homo erectus and Homo heidelbergensis, reveal a history of tool manufacturing and hunting activities in the area. The distribution of these artifacts serves as a historical record influenced by paleoclimatic factors, with the Sahara's fluctuating climate between wet and dry periods shaping the lifestyles of early inhabitants and fostering a hunter-gatherer way of life1.

Scientific studies on the Richat Structure have evolved significantly since its initial discovery in the 1930s. Early interpretations suggested it was an impact crater, but field and laboratory studies in the 1960s found no evidence of shock metamorphism or deformation indicative of an extraterrestrial impact4. Subsequent research in the 1990s and 2000s, including aeromagnetic and gravimetric mapping, revealed that the structure resulted from complex geological processes involving ring faults, magma intrusion, and erosion4. A key study by Matton et al. in 2005 and 2008 conclusively determined that the Richat Structure was not an impact site but rather a product of terrestrial geological forces4. These findings have been corroborated by ongoing research, cementing the Richat Structure's status as a remarkable example of natural erosion and geological uplift visible from space25.

Today, the Richat Structure is recognized as a geological marvel visible from space, attracting the attention of scientists and space agencies alike. NASA's Earth Observatory has featured it as a remarkable landmark for astronauts1. While its scientific significance is well-established, the structure has also sparked fringe theories, with some claiming it to be the site of the lost city of Atlantis due to its concentric circular pattern2. However, these claims are widely disputed by experts and lack scientific evidence2. The International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) has selected the Richat Structure as one of the first 100 geological heritage sites of the highest scientific value, underscoring its importance in understanding Earth's geological history1.