The Mauritanian “Eye of the Desert” is a scientific mystery that has baffled scientists
Not far from the city of Ouedane, hanging on the flank of the Adrar Mountains in northern Mauritania, lies the “Ain of the Sahara” or “Ain of Africa,” whose features are drawn by a graduated circular rocky geological formation with a diameter of 50 kilometers, and which can be seen from space, as this site has remained a well-known landmark for astronauts. Since the earliest manned missions, it is shown as detailed episodes.
A few days ago, the Mauritanian government approved a decree that includes the protection of this site, “which is subject to many pressures that are evident through the plundering of its historical archaeological heritage, the impact on its environmental balance, and the accelerating deterioration of its soil,” according to the text of the decree that the Ministry of Environment presented at a cabinet meeting.
Scientific puzzle
There are many scientific explanations for this rare geological site. Since its discovery by the French naturalist Théodore Monnot in the mid-1930s, scientists have presented different hypotheses for the origin of the site. Some of them consider it a volcanic eruption dating back millions of years. In 1946, Monnot proposed that the crater resulted from a space meteorite falling on the site from time immemorial.
However, this proposal was refuted by the results of an American space mission that visited the “Eye of the Desert” site in 1965, which concluded that there were no geological components different from the prevailing and known components in the geographical surroundings of the location of the phenomenon.
However, in 2008, Canadian researcher Guillaume Matton from the University of Quebec in Canada studied the “Ain al-Sahara” site as part of his doctoral thesis, using more than 100 rock samples, through which he concluded that the crater of the site that is most attractive to scientists in Mauritania is nothing but a geological dome that occurred as a result of a great melting underground. the earth".
Regarding the scientific and archaeological value of Ain Al Sahara, Ahmed Ould Taleb Mohamed, a specialist in geology and mineral resources, says, “This is one of the most important global geological sites, and the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) has classified it as a site of the highest scientific value.”
Muhammad adds, “In terms of the geological structure of Ain Al Sahara, the black rocks (gabbro rock) form two circular rings, the inner one is about 30 meters wide, and the outer one is about 70 meters wide. They are respectively three and eight kilometers away from the center of the structure from the center of the site’s structure.”
He believes that “in the field, these rings cannot be seen because the diameter of the structure is large (about 50 km), but the Eye of Africa remains a well-known sign for astronauts.”
Geological heritage
Ahmed Mouloud Al-Hilali, head of the Department of History at the University of Nouakchott, says, “The importance of issuing a government decree to protect Ain Al-Sahara lies in that this measure will ensure its classification as an untouchable national heritage. After that, work will be done to classify it globally as an internationally recognized geopark subject to site classification.” World Heritage.
After implementing the content of this decree, which was approved by the Mauritanian government, “an appropriate protective system will be established and defined, and an inventory and preservation of the geological heritage of Ain al-Sahara will be carried out by identifying the various elements of this heritage, determining its characteristics, preserving it in conditions that enable its sustainable management, and establishing punitive measures for violating the arrangements.” contained in this decree and the development and management plan.”
The Mauritanian government, in a statement shortly after issuing the decree, considers that “the Ain Sahara site is of high geological and environmental importance, both at the national and global levels, and constitutes a landmark seen by astronauts who have greatly contributed to its world-wide fame. It has been classified among the 100 most prominent sites.” It is one of the geological heritage sites in the world, and it is the only site in West Africa. It is also distinguished by the beauty of its natural heritage and its exceptional value.”
Ahmed Al-Taleb Muhammad adds that one of the features of this site is the presence of “veins of carbonatite rock, which is a rare type of rock that is associated with important minerals. In addition, several veins of kimberlite rocks, known as rocks that find their source in the Earth’s mantle, were discovered and are the source of diamonds.” “.
Tourist attraction
The presence of this rare geological site has provided a great tourism opportunity for the residents of the historic city of Ouaddan in Mauritania, as the inns and tourist accommodation stations in the mountainous city witness a continuous tourist movement throughout the year, and dozens of researchers and lovers of rare archaeological and geological sites flock to the city to visit this rare site.
Al-Mokhtar Ould Ali, a tourist guide from the city of Ouaddan, says, “The Ain al-Sahara represents a source of income for those in charge of the tourism sector in the city, and its classification will give us a valuable national and cultural heritage that will be reflected in our work in the cultural tourism sector, which we hope will flourish in the coming years.”
Mauritania has been working for some time to protect the registration of its heritage and archaeological sites, by issuing legal decrees to classify them as national heritage and then applying to specialized organizations to register them globally as international human heritage.
Source: websites