I could have posted this image in the thread on Earth from Space, but when you see it I think you'll understand why I couldn't resist it as art. It is the
Tibesti Mountains, located mostly in Chad, but extending into Libya.
The mountains include both active and some potentially active volcanoes, and the range covers about 100,000 sq km in the central Sahara desert. It's home to the Toubou people today, the region is known for its ancient cave paintings, mostly dating from the fifth to the third millennium BC.
The mountains’ highest peak is Emi Koussi – pictured here as a circular structure in the lower-right portion of the dark area. Standing over 3400 m high, it is the tallest mountain in Chad and in the Sahara.
The westernmost volcano is Toussidé. Our satellite view shows the dark peak with lava flows extending to the left. The white depression to the southeast gets its colour from the accumulation of carbonate salts, creating a soda lake.
There are a number of hot springs and geysers throughout the mountain range. Local people use the hot and warm springs for medical purposes.
Surrounding the Tibesti Mountains, the sands of the Sahara appear like orange, yellow and white brushstrokes.
Copyright: ESA, image taken by Envisat
