Today's Richat Structure, located more than 1200 feet above sea level, presents compelling evidence of ancient oceanic contact. The white coloration visible from both aerial and satellite imagery reveals significant salt deposits throughout the region. This abundance of surface-level salt in Mauritania is well-documented, with active salt caravans operating in the area today, though this fact remains relatively unknown to many.

The distribution of these salt deposits tells a fascinating story. They appear most concentrated in the lowest elevation areas of the structure, particularly at the southern entrance, suggesting that salt water once flowed through and settled within this formation. This evidence points to a major cataclysmic flooding event within the last 12,000 years. Similar water ripple formations found here bear striking resemblance to those in Washington State, indicating that the Sahara region experienced significant hydrological activity during this period—activity powerful enough to leave marks that have survived despite the Sahara's known 20,000-year cycle between lush jungle and desert conditions.

Key Takeaways

Salt deposits visible throughout the Richat Structure provide evidence of ancient oceanic presence despite the current elevation.
Distinctive water erosion patterns match similar formations found in Washington State, suggesting a significant flooding event.
The preservation of these geological features is remarkable considering the Sahara's documented cycle of transforming between desert and jungle environments.

Elevation Above Sea Level and Island History

The Richat Structure currently stands over 1200 feet above sea level, presenting a fascinating geological puzzle. White colorations visible both from aerial views and satellite imagery provide compelling evidence of its oceanic past. These white markings are salt deposits, naturally occurring at the surface level throughout this region of Mauritania.

Salt caravans continue to operate in Mauritania today, utilizing these abundant surface-level deposits. This well-documented phenomenon connects directly to the structure's geological history. The salt originated from ocean water, and its distribution pattern tells an important story.

The most concentrated salt deposits appear in the lowest elevation areas of the structure, suggesting these sections once contained settling saltwater. Particularly noticeable salt accumulations exist at the southern entrance of the formation. Nearby Touesseult, Mauritania also features these characteristic salt caravans and surface deposits.

The presence of these salt features indicates the Richat Structure was submerged by ocean water within the past 12,000 years. This submersion likely resulted from a significant and unknown flooding event. The evidence suggests a separate, more recent geological event also affected this area.

Water ripple patterns found at the site further support this theory. These formations closely resemble identical ripples documented in Washington state. The preservation of these erosion features is remarkable, as they would typically have disappeared long ago in such an environment.

This preservation becomes even more significant considering the Sahara's documented climate cycle. Research confirms the region alternates between lush green jungle and desert approximately every 20,000 years, yet these water erosion features remain distinctly visible.

Salt Deposits Evidence

White Surface Discoloration

The Richat Structure displays significant white coloration visible both from aerial views and satellite imagery. These white areas are salt deposits that appear at the surface level throughout the region. The most concentrated salt deposits appear in the lowest elevation areas within the structure, providing physical evidence of past saltwater presence. Similar white discoloration is particularly noticeable at the southern entrance of the formation.

Mauritanian Salt Commerce

The region maintains active salt trading networks that continue to operate in modern Mauritania. These salt caravans represent a significant yet often overlooked economic activity in the area. The abundance of surface-level salt has created a sustainable resource that locals have harvested for generations. This commercial activity serves as additional documentation of the unusual mineral presence throughout the landscape.

Salt Distribution Findings

The pattern of salt distribution strongly suggests the Richat Structure was submerged by ocean water within approximately the last 12,000 years. This immersion likely resulted from an unknown catastrophic flooding event rather than gradual processes. The preservation of distinctive water ripples in the landscape, similar to formations in Washington state, further supports evidence of a significant hydrological event. These erosion patterns would have disappeared if they were significantly older, especially considering the Sahara's documented 20,000-year cycle between jungle and desert environments.

Evidence of Past Flooding

The Richat Structure, despite sitting more than 1,200 feet above sea level today, shows compelling signs of previous ocean contact. White patches visible from both aerial and satellite imagery reveal significant salt deposits at the surface level. These salt concentrations appear most prominently in the structure's lowest elevation areas, suggesting salt water once pooled within this formation.

Salt presence in this region is well-documented though not widely known. Mauritania continues to support active salt caravans that harvest these deposits. The southern entrance to the Richat Structure particularly exhibits noticeable salt accumulation, further supporting the theory of past flooding.

The distinct water ripple patterns observed here mirror similar formations found in Washington state. These erosion features remain remarkably preserved, indicating a relatively recent cataclysmic flooding event within the past 12,000 years. Such preservation is particularly significant considering the Sahara's documented 20,000-year cycle between lush jungle and desert conditions.

Key Evidence of Past Flooding:

Surface-level salt deposits throughout the region
Higher salt concentration in the structure's lowest elevation areas
Preserved water ripple formations
Similar erosion patterns to known flood zones in North America

These geological markers collectively suggest the Richat Structure experienced substantial flooding from ocean waters, despite its current elevation far above sea level.

Comparative Analysis with Washington State Ripples

The Richat Structure, situated more than 1,200 feet above sea level, displays compelling evidence of past oceanic presence. White coloration visible from both aerial views and satellite imagery indicates salt deposits at the surface level. These salt deposits are not isolated phenomena—they connect to the well-documented salt caravans that operate throughout Mauritania today.

Salt concentration appears most prominently in the structure's lowest elevation areas, particularly noticeable at the southern entrance. This distribution pattern strongly suggests that saltwater once filled and settled within the formation. The presence of surface-level salt throughout the region indicates oceanic inundation occurred within approximately the last 12,000 years through some cataclysmic flooding event.

The landform displays remarkable water ripple patterns that mirror those found in Washington State. These identical formations provide additional evidence supporting a significant hydrological event affecting the Richat Structure during the same timeframe as the Washington formations. The preservation of these delicate water erosion features is particularly significant.

These erosion patterns would typically deteriorate rapidly in desert conditions. Their continued existence suggests the event occurred relatively recently in geological terms. This timeline aligns with scientific confirmation that the Sahara cycles between lush jungle and desert approximately every 20,000 years.

Feature Richat Structure Washington State Ripple Patterns Present Present (identical) Evidence of Water Action Salt deposits Erosion patterns Preservation State Well-preserved Well-preserved Timeframe Indication Recent geological event Same period

Sahara's Cyclical Transformation

The Richat Structure, situated over 1,200 feet above sea level, reveals intriguing evidence about the region's ancient past. White deposits visible from both aerial and satellite imagery indicate significant salt concentrations at the surface level. These salt deposits serve as geological markers of historical oceanic presence in the area.

From Verdant Landscape to Arid Terrain

The Sahara undergoes a remarkable cyclical transformation approximately every 20,000 years, shifting between lush jungle and barren desert. Salt caravans operating in Mauritania today harvest surface-level salt that originated from ancient seawater. This salt is particularly concentrated in the lower elevations of the Richat Structure, suggesting these areas once contained settling saltwater.

The presence of water erosion patterns closely resembling those found in Washington state provides compelling evidence of a significant hydrological event. These erosion features have remained remarkably preserved despite the harsh desert conditions, indicating a relatively recent occurrence—likely within the past 12,000 years.

Evidence points to two distinct events affecting the region: a cataclysmic flooding event that brought ocean water into the area, followed by a separate phenomenon that specifically impacted the Richat Structure. The preservation of water ripples and erosion patterns suggests these geological transformations happened more recently than the standard cycle of Saharan climate change.

Revealed: Ancient Ocean Evidence at the Eye of Sahara - Salt Deposits Confirm Richat Structure's Underwater Past