Sudan's "Landlocked Lips" Nature's Poutiest Mystery?

The Mysterious 'Landlocked Lips' of Sudan: An Earth from Space Enigma

In the vast and often surprising landscapes visible from space, a peculiar formation in Sudan has captured the attention of geologists and curious minds alike. Dubbed the "Landlocked Lips," this hill, shaped strikingly like human lips, presents a geographical puzzle shrouded in mystery. Let's delve into what we know about this intriguing feature and the theories surrounding its formation.

The Discovery: A Kiss from the Earth

Captured in a 2012 Google Earth satellite photo, the "Landlocked Lips" immediately stand out. The image reveals a hill formation resembling pursed human lips, almost as if the earth itself is blowing a kiss into space. The unusual shape and remote location sparked immediate interest, prompting experts to consider the geological forces at play.

Location and Dimensions

The striking hill is situated in Sudan's West Darfur state, approximately 60 miles (95 km) east of the border with Chad. Its exact coordinates are [12.370771816, 23.322227802]. The hill is quite substantial, measuring approximately:

• Length: Around 3,000 feet (900 meters)
• Width: 1,200 feet (350 meters) at its widest point

The surrounding area is characterized by agricultural fields, dotted with what appear to be trees. Earlier images from 2012 show a landscape affected by drought, with a pinkish hue accentuating the "lips" formation. More recent satellite imagery, however, reveals a greener landscape with increased vegetation cover.

Unraveling the Mystery: Formation Theories

While the hill's exact age and elevation remain unknown, experts have proposed theories regarding its formation based on available satellite data. One leading hypothesis focuses on the presence of a dike.

According to Josh Roering, a geomorphologist at the University of Oregon, "It looks like there's a dike or narrow unit of resistant rock running through the middle of that ridgeline that erodes more slowly than the surrounding rock and thus sticks out."

What is a Dike?

Dikes are geological structures that cut across existing layers of rock. They typically form through:

• Volcanic Activity: Magma intrusion into fractures.
• Tectonic Plate Movements: Forces creating pathways for rock intrusion.
• Sedimentary Processes: Less common, but possible.

The theory suggests that a resistant rock dike runs through the center of the "Landlocked Lips." This dike erodes slower than the surrounding rock, causing it to protrude and shape the unique lip-like appearance. Similar formations can be observed in places like the New Mexico desert and the Mackenzie dike swarm in Yukon, Canada.

A Word of Caution

It's important to note that, without on-site investigation, these theories remain speculative. As Roering points out, "without being able to study the formation up close, this is just speculation."

The Enduring Allure

Despite the uncertainties, the "Landlocked Lips" of Sudan serve as a powerful reminder of the Earth's capacity to surprise and inspire. Whether formed by volcanic activity, tectonic forces, or a combination of geological processes, this unique hill formation continues to intrigue and captivate, offering a glimpse into the dynamic forces that shape our planet's surface.

Source: https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/geology/the-mysterious-hill-in-sudan-that-looks-like-landlocked-lips-earth-from-space