The dome is 38 km in diameter and comprises a series of circular ridges of outward dipping limestones, cherts, sandstones, quartzites and shales ranging in age from upper Precambrian towards the centre to lower Paleozoic sandstones which cap the surrounding plateau.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Mineral List

16 valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded

Note: data is currently VERY limited. Please bear with us while we work towards adding this information!

Select Rock List Type

Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Albite

Formula: Na(AlSi₃O₈)

References:

Blanc, P. & Pomerol, C. 1973. Presence de filons de roches carbonatees a analcime dans la depression de Tin Jouker, Richat, Adrar de Mauritainie. Comptes Rendus de l'Academie des Sciences, Paris, 265D, 2409-2411.

Trompette, R. 1973. Pétrographie des Richât. A - Les delérites de l'Adrar de Mauritanie et le probléme des analcimolites des Richât (Sahara occidentale). Sciences de la Terre. Mémoires, Nancy, 28, 83-95.

Dietz, R. S., Fudali, R., & Cassidy, W. (1969). Richât and Semsiyat domes (Mauritania): not astroblemes. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 80(7), 1367-1372. doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1969)80[1367:RASDMN]2.0.CO

Woolley, A. R., Rankin, A. H., Elliott, C. J., Bishot, A. C., & Niblett, D. (1984). Carbonatite dykes from the Richat dome. Mauritania, and the genesis of the dome: Indian Mineralogist, 189-207.

Woldegabriel, Giday, Aronson, James L., Walter, Robert C. (1990) Geology, geochronology, and rift basin development in the central sector of the Main Ethiopia Rift. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 102 (4) 439-458 doi:10.1130/0016-7606(1990)102<0439:ggarbd>2.3.co;2

NETTO, A.M, FABRE, J., POUPEAU, G. & CHAMPENOIS, M. (1992). Datation par traces de fission (TF) de la structure circulaire des Richat (Mauritanie centrale). Comptes Rendus de l'Academie des Sciences, Paris, 314 (Serie II), 1179-1186.

ⓘ Albite var. Oligoclase

Formula: (Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si₂O₈]

References:

Woolley, A. R., Rankin, A. H., Elliott, C. J., Bishot, A. C., & Niblett, D. (1984). Carbonatite dykes from the Richat dome. Mauritania, and the genesis of the dome: Indian Mineralogist, 189-207.

ⓘ Analcime

Formula: Na(AlSi₂O₆) · H₂O

References:

Woolley, A. R., Rankin, A. H., Elliott, C. J., Bishot, A. C., & Niblett, D. (1984). Carbonatite dykes from the Richat dome. Mauritania, and the genesis of the dome: Indian Mineralogist, 189-207.

ⓘ Anatase

Formula: TiO₂

References:

Matton, J. & Jebrak, M. (2014) The ‘‘eye of Africa’’ (Richat dome, Mauritania): An isolated Cretaceous alkaline–hydrothermal complex. Journal of African Earth Sciences 97, 109-124.

ⓘ Ankerite

Formula: Ca(Fe²⁺,Mg)(CO₃)₂

References:

Woolley, A. R., Rankin, A. H., Elliott, C. J., Bishot, A. C., & Niblett, D. (1984). Carbonatite dykes from the Richat dome. Mauritania, and the genesis of the dome: Indian Mineralogist, 189-207.

Sedigh, Maham Eboubekrine, Ouali, Houssa, Jébrak, Michel, Mokhtari, Abdelkader (2024) Bulk composition and O–C isotope constraints on the petrogenesis of Richat carbonatites (Mauritania) Journal of African Earth Sciences, 209. 105126 doi:10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2023.105126

ⓘ 'Apatite'

Formula: Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)

References:

Woolley, A. R., Rankin, A. H., Elliott, C. J., Bishot, A. C., & Niblett, D. (1984). Carbonatite dykes from the Richat dome. Mauritania, and the genesis of the dome: Indian Mineralogist, 189-207.

ⓘ Baryte

Formula: BaSO₄

References:

Woolley, A. R., Rankin, A. H., Elliott, C. J., Bishot, A. C., & Niblett, D. (1984). Carbonatite dykes from the Richat dome. Mauritania, and the genesis of the dome: Indian Mineralogist, 189-207.

ⓘ Calcite

Formula: CaCO₃

References:

Matton, J. & Jebrak, M. (2014) The ‘‘eye of Africa’’ (Richat dome, Mauritania): An isolated Cretaceous alkaline–hydrothermal complex. Journal of African Earth Sciences 97, 109-124.

ⓘ Dawsonite

Formula: NaAlCO₃(OH)₂

References:

Matton, J. & Jebrak, M. (2014) The ‘‘eye of Africa’’ (Richat dome, Mauritania): An isolated Cretaceous alkaline–hydrothermal complex. Journal of African Earth Sciences 97, 109-124.

ⓘ Dolomite

Formula: CaMg(CO₃)₂

References:

ⓘ Gibbsite

Formula: Al(OH)₃

References:

Matton, J. & Jebrak, M. (2014) The ‘‘eye of Africa’’ (Richat dome, Mauritania): An isolated Cretaceous alkaline–hydrothermal complex. Journal of African Earth Sciences 97, 109-124.

ⓘ Hematite

Formula: Fe₂O₃

References:

Matton, J. & Jebrak, M. (2014) The ‘‘eye of Africa’’ (Richat dome, Mauritania): An isolated Cretaceous alkaline–hydrothermal complex. Journal of African Earth Sciences 97, 109-124.

ⓘ Kaolinite

Formula: Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄

References:

Matton, J. & Jebrak, M. (2014) The ‘‘eye of Africa’’ (Richat dome, Mauritania): An isolated Cretaceous alkaline–hydrothermal complex. Journal of African Earth Sciences 97, 109-124.

ⓘ Magnetite

Formula: Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₂O₄

References:

Woolley, A. R., Rankin, A. H., Elliott, C. J., Bishot, A. C., & Niblett, D. (1984). Carbonatite dykes from the Richat dome. Mauritania, and the genesis of the dome: Indian Mineralogist, 189-207.

ⓘ Nordstrandite

Formula: Al(OH)₃

References:

Matton, J. & Jebrak, M. (2014) The ‘‘eye of Africa’’ (Richat dome, Mauritania): An isolated Cretaceous alkaline–hydrothermal complex. Journal of African Earth Sciences 97, 109-124.

ⓘ 'Olivine Group'

Formula: M₂SiO₄

References:

ⓘ Phlogopite

Formula: KMg₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂

References:

ⓘ 'Pyrochlore Group'

Formula: A₂Nb₂(O,OH)₆Z

References:

Woolley, A. R., Rankin, A. H., Elliott, C. J., Bishot, A. C., & Niblett, D. (1984). Carbonatite dykes from the Richat dome. Mauritania, and the genesis of the dome: Indian Mineralogist, 189-207.

ⓘ Quartz

Formula: SiO₂

References:

Woolley, A. R., Rankin, A. H., Elliott, C. J., Bishot, A. C., & Niblett, D. (1984). Carbonatite dykes from the Richat dome. Mauritania, and the genesis of the dome: Indian Mineralogist, 189-207.

ⓘ Spinel

Formula: MgAl₂O₄

References:

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘ	'Pyrochlore Group'	4.00.	A₂Nb₂(O,OH)₆Z
ⓘ	Magnetite	4.BB.05	Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₂O₄
ⓘ	Spinel	4.BB.05	MgAl₂O₄
ⓘ	Hematite	4.CB.05	Fe₂O₃
ⓘ	Quartz	4.DA.05	SiO₂
ⓘ	Anatase	4.DD.05	TiO₂
ⓘ	Gibbsite	4.FE.10	Al(OH)₃
ⓘ	Nordstrandite	4.FE.10	Al(OH)₃
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘ	Calcite	5.AB.05	CaCO₃
ⓘ	Ankerite	5.AB.10	Ca(Fe²⁺,Mg)(CO₃)₂
ⓘ	Dolomite	5.AB.10	CaMg(CO₃)₂
ⓘ	Dawsonite	5.BB.10	NaAlCO₃(OH)₂
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
ⓘ	Baryte	7.AD.35	BaSO₄
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘ	Phlogopite	9.EC.20	KMg₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
ⓘ	Kaolinite	9.ED.05	Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
ⓘ	Albite	9.FA.35	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
ⓘ	var. Oligoclase	9.FA.35	(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si₂O₈]
ⓘ	Analcime	9.GB.05	Na(AlSi₂O₆) · H₂O
Unclassified
ⓘ	'Apatite'	-	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
ⓘ	'Olivine Group'	-	M₂SiO₄

List of minerals for each chemical element

H	Hydrogen
H	ⓘ Analcime	Na(AlSi₂O₆) · H₂O
H	ⓘ Dawsonite	NaAlCO₃(OH)₂
H	ⓘ Gibbsite	Al(OH)₃
H	ⓘ Kaolinite	Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
H	ⓘ Nordstrandite	Al(OH)₃
H	ⓘ Phlogopite	KMg₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
H	ⓘ Pyrochlore Group	A₂Nb₂(O,OH)₆Z
H	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
C	Carbon
C	ⓘ Ankerite	Ca(Fe²⁺,Mg)(CO₃)₂
C	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
C	ⓘ Dawsonite	NaAlCO₃(OH)₂
C	ⓘ Dolomite	CaMg(CO₃)₂
O	Oxygen
O	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
O	ⓘ Analcime	Na(AlSi₂O₆) · H₂O
O	ⓘ Anatase	TiO₂
O	ⓘ Ankerite	Ca(Fe²⁺,Mg)(CO₃)₂
O	ⓘ Baryte	BaSO₄
O	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
O	ⓘ Dawsonite	NaAlCO₃(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Dolomite	CaMg(CO₃)₂
O	ⓘ Gibbsite	Al(OH)₃
O	ⓘ Hematite	Fe₂O₃
O	ⓘ Kaolinite	Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
O	ⓘ Magnetite	Fe²⁺Fe₂³⁺O₄
O	ⓘ Nordstrandite	Al(OH)₃
O	ⓘ Albite var. Oligoclase	(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si₂O₈]
O	ⓘ Phlogopite	KMg₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Pyrochlore Group	A₂Nb₂(O,OH)₆Z
O	ⓘ Quartz	SiO₂
O	ⓘ Spinel	MgAl₂O₄
O	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
O	ⓘ Olivine Group	M₂SiO₄
F	Fluorine
F	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
Na	Sodium
Na	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Na	ⓘ Analcime	Na(AlSi₂O₆) · H₂O
Na	ⓘ Dawsonite	NaAlCO₃(OH)₂
Na	ⓘ Albite var. Oligoclase	(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si₂O₈]
Mg	Magnesium
Mg	ⓘ Ankerite	Ca(Fe²⁺,Mg)(CO₃)₂
Mg	ⓘ Dolomite	CaMg(CO₃)₂
Mg	ⓘ Phlogopite	KMg₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Mg	ⓘ Spinel	MgAl₂O₄
Al	Aluminium
Al	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Al	ⓘ Analcime	Na(AlSi₂O₆) · H₂O
Al	ⓘ Dawsonite	NaAlCO₃(OH)₂
Al	ⓘ Gibbsite	Al(OH)₃
Al	ⓘ Kaolinite	Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
Al	ⓘ Nordstrandite	Al(OH)₃
Al	ⓘ Albite var. Oligoclase	(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si₂O₈]
Al	ⓘ Phlogopite	KMg₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Al	ⓘ Spinel	MgAl₂O₄
Si	Silicon
Si	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Si	ⓘ Analcime	Na(AlSi₂O₆) · H₂O
Si	ⓘ Kaolinite	Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
Si	ⓘ Albite var. Oligoclase	(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si₂O₈]
Si	ⓘ Phlogopite	KMg₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Si	ⓘ Quartz	SiO₂
Si	ⓘ Olivine Group	M₂SiO₄
P	Phosphorus
P	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
S	Sulfur
S	ⓘ Baryte	BaSO₄
Cl	Chlorine
Cl	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
K	Potassium
K	ⓘ Phlogopite	KMg₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Ca	Calcium
Ca	ⓘ Ankerite	Ca(Fe²⁺,Mg)(CO₃)₂
Ca	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
Ca	ⓘ Dolomite	CaMg(CO₃)₂
Ca	ⓘ Albite var. Oligoclase	(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si₂O₈]
Ca	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
Ti	Titanium
Ti	ⓘ Anatase	TiO₂
Fe	Iron
Fe	ⓘ Ankerite	Ca(Fe²⁺,Mg)(CO₃)₂
Fe	ⓘ Hematite	Fe₂O₃
Fe	ⓘ Magnetite	Fe²⁺Fe₂³⁺O₄
Nb	Niobium
Nb	ⓘ Pyrochlore Group	A₂Nb₂(O,OH)₆Z
Ba	Barium
Ba	ⓘ Baryte	BaSO₄

Geochronology

Mineralization age: Late/Upper Cretaceous : 85 ± 5 Ma

Important note: This table is based only on rock and mineral ages recorded on mindat.org for this locality and is not necessarily a complete representation of the geochronology, but does give an indication of possible mineralization events relevant to this locality. As more age information is added this table may expand in the future. A break in the table simply indicates a lack of data entered here, not necessarily a break in the geologic sequence. Grey background entries are from different, related, localities.

Geologic Time

Rocks, Minerals and Events

Phanerozoic

Mesozoic

Cretaceous

Late/Upper Cretaceous

ⓘ Apatite

85 ± 5 Ma

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

AfricaContinent

African PlateTectonic Plate

Taoudenni basinBasin
West African CratonCraton
- Mali BasinShield

North Africa

Sahara DesertDesert

Northwest Africa MeteoritesGroup of Meteorite Fall Locations

West AfricaUN Subregion

This page contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database. This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.

References

Woolley, A. R., Rankin, A. H., Elliott, C. J., Bishot, A. C., & Niblett, D. (1984). Carbonatite dykes from the Richat dome. Mauritania, and the genesis of the dome: Indian Mineralogist, 189-207.

Woolley, A. R. (2001) Alkaline Rocks and Carbonatites of the World, Part 3: Africa - Alkaline Rocks and Carbonatites of the World. The Geological Society of London.p.185

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Richat Dome, Chinguetti, Adrar Region, MauritaniaiRegional Level TypesRichat DomeDome ChinguettiDepartment Adrar RegionRegion MauritaniaCountry function showexplain() { $("#locexplain").toggle(); if (typeof movemap === "function") movemap(); }

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Mineral List

Rock Types Recorded

Select Rock List Type

Detailed Mineral List:

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

List of minerals for each chemical element

Geochronology

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References

Richat Dome, Chinguetti, Adrar Region, Mauritania i
Regional Level Types
Richat Dome Dome
Chinguetti Department
Adrar Region Region
Mauritania Country