Mid-Jurassic events in the Western High Atlas (Morocco)

Angular unconformities, time gaps, and progressive increase of thickness in the Mesozoic sedimentary pile of the Western High Atlas, Morocco, point to mid-Jurassic tectonic pulses in this area. Red beds, Middle Jurassic in age, were deposited in the nearshore Agadir-Essaouira basin in contrast to transgressive tendencies of the eustatic curve. These phenomena are easily explained by uplift and erosion in the central part of the mountain belt even in the Middle Jurassic. Thus, a rift stage (Permian to Early Jurassic) in the tectonic history of the Western High Atlas was followed by a gulf stage (Late Jurassic to Middle Cretaceous) until later the high mountain range generated by inversion in Late Cretaceous and Neogene to recent times. Tensional forces that created the mobile rift belt were superimposed by vertical uplift during the Middle Jurassic that gave rise to a NNE-SSW stretching high. Even in the present-day high mountain range this area, called the »ancient massif«, is strongly elevated. Thus, the evaluation of the geological history of the Western High Atlas seems much complicated.

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Zusammenfassung Bei Kartierarbeiten und Profilaufnahmen im Westlichen Hohen Atlas in Marokko beobachtete Winkeldiskordanzen, Schichtlücken und progressive Mächtigkeitsentwicklungen deuten auf mitteljurassische tektonische Aktivitäten hin. Unterstützung erhält diese Hypothese durch Rotsedimente des Dogger im Küstenbecken von Agadir-Essaouira, die hier im Gegensatz zur allgemeinen Meeresspiegelentwicklung zum Absatz kamen.In der tektonischen Entwicklung ergibt sich ein Rift-Stadium von Perm bis Unterjura, das von einem Golf-Stadium von Oberjura bis Mittelkreide abgelöst wird, bevor sich durch Inversion in der Oberkreide und seit dem Jungtertiär das heutige Hochgebirge bildete. Im Mesozoikum wird Zerrungstektonik überlagert durch vom Atlantik ausgehende Vertikaltektonik. Sie führte bereits im Mittleren Jura zu einem NNE-SSW verlaufenden Hochgebiet, das auch im heutigen »massif ancien« des Westlichen Hohen Atlas gipfelt und die Aufklärung der sedimentären Vorgeschichte des Gebirges erheblich erschwert.

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Résumé Dans les couches mésozoïques du Haut Atlas occidental (Maroc), des discordances angulaires, des lacunes stratigraphiques ainsi que des variations progressives d'épaisseur, témoignent d'activités tectoniques au Jurassique moyen. C'est ainsi qu'au Dogger, des couches rouges se sont déposées dans le bassin côtier d'Agadir-Essaouira en opposition avec les tendances transgressives générales de la courbe eustatique. Ces phénomènes s'expliquent facilement par des processus de soulèvement et d'érosion dans la partie centrale de la zone mobile atlasique au Jurassique moyen.L'histoire tectonique a comporté une période de rifting (du Permien au Jurassique inférieur) suivie par une période où le golfe marin atlasique s'est constitué (du Jurassique supérieur au Crétacé moyen) et enfin par un processus d'inversion qui, au Crétacé supérieur et depuis le Néogène, a produit le relief moderne du Haut Atlas.Les forces d'extension, responsables de la naissance de la zone mobile du rift atlasique, ont été suivies au Jurassique moyen par un soulèvement vertical en relation avec l'expansion de l'Océan atlantique. Il en est résulté un bombement NNE - SSW, appelé la »Terre des Almohades« par les auteurs français. Le »massif ancien« dans la zone centrale de la haute montagne actuelle est une partie de ce vieux bombement, où on ne trouve guère de séries mésozoïques. C'est de ce fait que la reconstitution de l'histoire du Haut Atlas occidental est particulièrement difficile.

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, , , . Agadir-Essaouira, . , , ; , . , , . , NNE SSW; .

     

Faulting history at the eastern termination of the High Atlas Fault (Western High Atlas,Morocco)

At its eastern termination, the High Atlas Fault in the Western High Atlas in Morocco, consists of a splay of three faults. In the interjacent fault blocks, Neo- and Paleoproterozoic basement, forming the northernmost extremity of the NW-African Craton, is cropping out. The Precambrian basement witnesses a long history of brittle deformation starting at the end of the Pan-African Orogeny. A subsequent episode of normal faulting can be related to the development of a Hercynian basin along the northern passive margin of the cratonic promontory. With regard to the main tectonic activity in the Western High Atlas, basically two models exist: one emphasising block tectonics reflecting Mesozoic rifting followed by Alpine uplift and inversion, the other emphasising Late Paleozoic dextral wrench tectonics. The analysis of the fault activity along the splay faults reveals a predominantly Alpine history, consisting of the Triassic development of the Atlas Rift along the axial zone of the orogen, followed by uplift and inversion. The Late Jurassic to Cenozoic fault activity took place in a sinistral transpressive regime and was partitioned over the three splay faults. Dextral strike-slip fault activity could not be demonstrated in the fault blocks nor along the splay faults. Therefore the faults were probably not involved in Late Paleozoic dextral wrench tectonics.     

Fractures network mapping using remote sensing in the Paleozoic massif of Tichka (Western High Atlas,Morocco)

The Paleozoic massif of Tichka in the southern part of the Western High Atlas of Morocco constitutes a structural transition between the Meseta and the Anti-Atlas domains. It was affected by a complex network of fractures noticeable at different scales. Using Landsat ETM+ imagery permits detecting the main fracture directions. Various techniques of lineament’s extraction were applied, including the colored compositions, spectral band ratios, and directional filters applied to the principal component analysis. Lineament’s extraction is based on visual interpretation and completed by field observations. The resulted map allows recognizing at least four trending fracture system, with average N-S, NE-SW, E-W, and NW-SE orientations. The surrounding rocks of the granitic massif show a high fracture density. Tectonic indicators show that this massif is initially affected by NW-SE Variscan tectonic extension, followed by NW-SE Variscan compression. This regime is being maintained until the late Variscan period corresponding to the relaxation of the NW-SE major Variscan stress. A clockwise rotation of the latter stress, which became N-S to NNE-SSW, related to the late Variscan deformation, is responsible for reworking preexisting faults.     

Inversion tectonics of intracontinental ranges: High and Middle Atlas,Morocco

The High and Middle Atlas are intracontinental mountain belts situated within the mobile foreland of the Mediterranean Rif orogen. They developed in three stages. The first period (Permian — Bathonian) culminated during the Lias with extended rift grabens and tholeiite extrusions. From Callovian to Eocene, the tectonic activity and the rates of sedimentation were reduced, both pointing to a cooling of the lithosphere. Since the Oligocene, the whole region is submitted to compressional stress. The High and the Middle Atlas were uplifted within two phases, which were correlated with main phases of Rif orogenesis. Refraction seismic measurements have recently revealed there a flat layered structure of the crust with several low velocity zones. The deepest one coincides with a layer of high electric conductivity, which is interpreted as a zone of detachment.From the geotectonic evolution of the High and Middle Atlas and from the structure of the crust, the following model was deduced: During Early Mesozoic rifting, the crust on top of the mantle elevations was thinned by both extensional fracturing and by gliding along intracrustal detachment planes. During the Cenozoic collisions of the Rif, these shear planes were reactivated by thrusting in opposite directions. Compressional deformation of the graben fillings led now to a moderate thickening of the crust, e.g. up to 40 km beneath the High Atlas. Subsequent uplift and inversion was not only caused by isostasy, but also by squeezing upward due to thick- and thin-skinned tectonics.

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Zusammenfassung Der Hohe und der Mittlere Atlas sind intrakontinentale Gebirge im mobilen Vorland des mediterranen Rif-Orogens. Ihre Entwicklung weist drei Perioden auf: Die erste (Perm-Bathonium) kulminierte im Lias mit der Bildung von Riftgräben entlang spätvariskischer Bruchzonen und Tholeiit-Ergüssen. Im Intervall Callovium-Eozän deuten tektonische Beruhigung und geringere Sedimentation auf eine allmähliche Abkühlung der Lithosphäre hin. Seit dem Oligozän steht die Region unter Kompression. Der Hohe und der Mittlere Atlas haben sich zeitgleich mit den Hauptphasen der Kompression im Rif herausgehoben. Refraktionsseismische Untersuchungen haben einen flachen Lagenbau der Kruste mit mehreren low-velocity-Zonen aufgewiesen, deren tiefste mit einer Zone hoher elektrischer Leitfähigkeit zusammenfällt und als bedeutende Abscherungszone gedeutet wird.Aus der geotektonischen Entwicklung des Hohen und des Mittleren Atlas und aus der heutigen Krustenstruktur wird folgendes Modell abgeleitet: In der frühmesozoischen Rift-Phase wurde die Kruste über den Mantel-Aufwölbungen durch Zerrungsbrüche und durch Zergleiten an subhorizontalen Scherflächen ausgedünnt. Während der känozoischen Kollisionen im Rif-Atlas wurden diese Scherflächen dann gegenläufig bewegt, die Riftgraben-Füllungen dabei bis zu geringer Krustenverdickung eingeengt und anschließend herausgehoben. Die Inversion der beiden Atlas-Gebirge ist somit nicht nur isostatisch bedingt, sondern auch durch Aufpressung bei thick-and-thin-skinned-Tektonik verursacht.

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Résumé Le Haut Atlas et le Moyen Atlas sont des chaînes intracontinentales situées dans l'avant pays mobile de l'orogène méditerranéen du Rif. Elles se sont développées en trois périodes. La première (du Permien au Bathonien) a culminé au Lias avec la formation de fossés de rift accompagnés d'effusions tholéiitiques. Au cours de la deuxième période (du Callovien à l'Eocène), l'activité tectonique et les taux de sédimentation étaient réduits, indice d'un refroidissement de la lithosphère. Depuis l'Oligocène, la région est soumise à une compression. Le Haut Atlas et le Moyen Atlas se sont soulevés en deux phases, coïncidant avec les phases principales de compression du Rif. Les sondages sismiques ont mis en évidence une structure de la croûte en couches subhorizontales comportant plusieurs zones à faible vitesse dont la plus profonde coïncide avec une zone de haute conductivité électrique interprétée comme un vaste décollement.En conclusion, nous proposons le modèle suivant pour le Haut et le Moyen Atlas: pendant la phase de rifting du Mésozoïque inférieur, la croûte a été amincie au-dessus de bombements du manteau, non seulement par des fracture d'extension mais aussi par glissement le long de décollements subhorizontaux. Durant les collisions cénozoïques du Rif, ces décollements ont été réactivés en charriages par glissement en sens inverse. Ce processus, en rétrécissant les remplissages des grabens, a provoqué un léger épaississement de la croûte (jusqu'à 40 km sous le Haut Atlas) et le soulèvement final. L'inversion des chaînes atlasiques n'a donc pas seulement été l'effet de l'isostasie, mais aussi d'une tectonique »thin-and-thick- skinned«.

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. : (-) , . - , . . . , , . , , : , , . , , , ; , , . .. , , »thick-and-thin-skinned-tectonics«.

     

The rainfall-runoff model GR4J optimization of parameter by genetic algorithms and Gauss-Newton method: application for the watershed Ourika (High Atlas,Morocco)

Hydrological modeling aims to place the disposal of water actors, very simple tools for hydrological simulation to start with, the basic observations made on rainfall until the reproduction of the response the flow of a basin. The aims of this work consist, first, of testing the model GR4J (Génie Rural à 4 paramètres Journalier) performances of the rain-flow in semi-arid environment watershed and secondly, of highlighting the contribution of new optimization techniques (genetic algorithm, Gauss-Newton) in determining the optimal parameters of the model. The results obtained show that those methods of optimization are robust and reliable in comparison with the “solver” optimization used in Excel that usually applies for GR4J model. In terms of the model performances, we obtained a very satisfying results. Also, the simulations clearly show the influence of the melting snow on the Ourika’s basin flows; indeed, taking into account this component in the model allowed a consecutive improvement of the simulations.     

Cenozoic sedimentary dynamics of the Ouarzazate foreland basin (Central High Atlas Mountains, Morocco)

Cenozoic continental sedimentary deposits of the Southern Atlas named "Imerhane Group" crop out (a) in the Ouarzazate foreland basin between the Precambrian basement of the Anti Atlas and the uplifted limestone dominated High Atlas, and (b) in the Aït Kandoula and Aït Seddrat nappes where Jurassic strata detached from the basement have been thrust southwards over the Ouarzazate Basin. New biostratigraphic and geochronological data constraining the final Eocene marine regression, the characterization of the new "Aït Ouglif Detrital Formation" presumed to be of Oligocene age, and the new stratigraphic division proposed for the Continental Imerhane Group clarify the major tectonogenetic alpidic movements of the Central High Atlas Range. Four continental formations are identified at regional scale. Their emplacement was governed principally by tectonic but also by eustatic controls. The Hadida and Aït Arbi formations (Upper Eocene) record the major Paleogene regression. They are composed of margino-littoral facies (coastal sabkhas and fluviatile systems) and reflect incipient erosion of the underlying strata and renewed fluvial drainage. The Aït Ouglif Formation (presumed Oligocene) had not been characterized before. It frequently overlies all earlier formations with an angular unconformity. It includes siliciclastic alluvial deposits and is composed predominantly of numerous thin fining-upward cycles. The Aït Kandoula Formation (Miocene-Pliocene) is discordant, extensive, and represents a thick coarsening-upward megasequence. It is composed of palustro-lacustrine deposits in a context of alluvial plain with localized sabkhas, giving way to alluvial fans and fluviatile environments. The Upper Conglomeratic Formation (Quaternary) is the trace of a vast conglomeratic pediment, forming an alluvial plain and terraces. The second and third formations correspond to two megasequences engendered by the uplift of the Central High Atlas in two major compressive phases during late Oligocene and Miocene-Pliocene times. These two geodynamic events were separated by a tectonically calm phase, materialized by palustro-lacustrine sedimentation (Görler et al. 1988). Tectono-sedimentary analysis of the two megasequences shows that the basin structure and depositional processes were controlled by the compressive tectonic context generated by the collision of North Africa and Iberia in Tertiary times (Jacobshagen et al. 1988). The Quaternary Formation was apparently controlled by a tectonic continuum and by climatic variations.     

Structural aspects of the Middle and the High Atlas (Morocco) phenomena and causalities

Since the beginning of the Mesozoic the structural development of the Middle Atlas and the central High Atlas was controlled by a pre-existent fault pattern, which was reactivated repeatedly in various manners.The fault pattern is characterized by two main directions. The first runs 35–45° and dominates in the Middle Atlas, the second runs 70° and is common in the southern part of the central High Atlas; between these regions both directions overlap. In the Atlas of Demnat, Beni Mellal and El Ksiba at the northern border of the central High Atlas a further direction, the one of 120°, locally gains in significance. Into the gores of the pattern commonly magmatites intruded during the Mesozoic, in the course of the following compressive deformation often a cleavage was formed there.The compressive deformation started in the Oligocene; the directon of the main compressional stress ₁ lay at 160°. Dependant on their orientation to ₁ the pre-existent faults reacted differently on this stress: The 70° faults were reactivated as upthrusts, the 35° ones as sinistral oblique slip reverse faults and those of 120° as dextral oblique slip reverse faults. At the northwestern border of the hinge area between the Middle and the High Atlas this scheme of movements was complicated by an interference with movements along the Transalboran fault system.Because of changes in the style of deformation the so-called B-B fault zone, running ENE from El Ksiba to Aghbala, can be defined as the structural border between the High and the Middle Atlas.

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Zusammenfassung Die strukturelle Entwicklung des Mittleren Atlas und des zentralen Hohen Atlas seit dem Beginn des Mesozoikums wurde durch ein Bruchmuster präexistenter Störungen gesteuert, die sich im Verlauf dieser Zeit wiederholt in verschiedener Weise durchgepaust haben.Das erwähnte Bruchmuster wird durch zwei Hauptrichtungen charakterisiert, deren eine von 35–45° im Mittleren Atlas vorherrscht, während die andere von 70° für den südlichen Teil des zentralen Hohen Atlas bestimmend ist, in einem Zwischenbereich überlappen sich beide Richtungen. Im Atlas von Demnat, Beni Mellal und El Ksiba am Nordrand des Hohen Atlas tritt lokal begrenzt eine weitere Richtung von 120° hinzu. In die Zwikkel des Bruchmusters drangen im Verlauf des Mesozoikums verbreitet Intrusiva ein, während der anschließenden kompressiven Deformation wurde dort häufig eine Schieferung angelegt.Die kompressive Deformation setzte im Oligozän ein, wobei die Richtung der kompressiven Hauptnormalspannung ₁ ca. 160° betrug. Die präexistenten Störungen reagierten auf dieses Stressfeld je nach ihrer Lage zu ₁ unterschiedlich: Die 70°-Störungen wurden als Aufschiebungen reaktiviert, die 35°-Störungen als sinistrale Schrägaufschiebungen und die 120°-Störungen als dextrale Schrägaufschiebungen. Kompliziert wurde dieses Bewegungsschema am Nordwestrand des Scharnierbereiches zwischen Hohem und Mittlerem Atlas durch eine Überlagerung mit Bewegungen entlang des Transalboran-Störungssystems.Als strukturelle Grenze zwischen Hohem und Mittlerem Atlas kann aufgrund von Änderungen im Baustil die sog. B-B-Störungszone, die von El Ksiba Richtung nach ESE bis Aghbala verläuft, angesehen werden.

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Résumé Depuis le début du Mésozoïque, l'histoire structurale du Moyen-Atlas et du Haut Atlas central aété déterminée par un réseau de failles préexistantes qui ont été réactivées à diverses reprises et de diverses manières.Ce réseau de failles est caractérisé par deux directions principales: l'une (35° à 45°) domine dans le Moyen Atlas, l'autre (70°) dans la partie sud du Haut Atlas central. Entre ces deux régions, les deux directions coexistent. Dans l'Atlas de Demnat, de Beni Mellal et d'El Ksiba, à la bordure nord du Haut Atlas central, une troisième direction (120°) présente une importance locale. Pendant le Mésozoïque, des magmas se sont intrudés dans les ouvertures du réseau, tandis qu'une schistosité apparaissait souvent dans les régions en compression.La déformation compressive a débuté à l'Oligocène, avec une contrainte principale ₁ orientée à 160°. Les failles préexistantes ont réagi de manières différentes, selon leur orientation par rapport à ₁: les failles de direction 70° ont été réactivées en chevauchement, les failles à 35° ont donné des failles inverses à jeu oblique sénestre, et les failles à 120° des failles inverses à jeu oblique dextre. Le long de la bordure nord-ouest de la zone charnière entre le Moyen et le Haut Atlas, ce schéma s'est compliqué par interférence avec des mouvements le long de l'accident transalborien.Eu égard aux changements dans le style de la déformation, la zone failleuse dite B-B, qui s'étend en direction ENE de El Ksiba à Aghbala, peut se définir comme la frontière structurale entre le Haut et le Moyen Atlas.

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, . : 35–45° , 70° ; . Demnat, Beni Mellal El Ksiba 120°. , . , , , I₁ 160°. , I₁: 70° , 30° , 120° - . - Transalboran. .. -, E-S Aghbala.

     

Synsedimentary faulting and palaeocurrent patterns in the Triassic sandstones of the High Atlas (Morocco)

The influence of syndepositional fault patterns on palaeocurrents is demonstrated in fluvial to shallow-marine sandstones of Upper Triassic basins in the High Atlas. The synsedimentary nature of faults is deduced from hydroplastic slickensides, thickness variations due to block tilting and dislocation of layers next to the fault scarp. On a regional scale, it is shown that the major normal fault trend of N050–070° controlled the overall palaeocurrent pattern which was directed towards the west-southwest, i.e. in the direction of the future Atlantic ocean. Some anomalies in the palaeocurrent pattern could be related to an increase in subsidence which induced a general coarsening of sediment towards the top of the Triassic.     

Comprehensive physicochemical study of dioctahedral palygorskite-rich clay from Marrakech High Atlas (Morocco)

This study is devoted to the physicochemical and mineralogical characterizations of palygorskite from Marrakech High Atlas, Morocco. The raw clay and its Na⁺-saturated <2 μm fraction were characterized using chemical, structural, and thermal analytical techniques. Measurements of specific surface area and porous volume are reported. The clay fraction was found to be made up of 95 % of palygorskite and 5 % of sepiolite. An original feature of this palygorskite is its deficiency in zeolitic H₂O. The half-cell structural formula of its dehydrated form was determined on the basis of 21 oxygens to be (Si_7.92Al_0.08)(Mg_2.15Al_1.4Fe_0.4Ti_0.05 $ \square_{1} $ )(Ca_0.03Na_0.08K_0.04)O₂₁, while the hydrated form could be formulated as (Si_7.97Al_0.03)(Mg_2.17Al_1.46Fe_0.40Ti_0.05)(Ca_0.03Na_0.07K_0,03)O_20.18(OH)_1.94(OH₂)_3.88·2.43 H₂O. These formulas show that the (Al³⁺+Fe³⁺)/Mg²⁺ ratio is around 0.84, revealing a pronounced dioctahedral character. Further, inside its octahedral sheet, it was determined that the inner M₁ sites are occupied by vacancies, whereas the M₂ sites are shared between 90 % of trivalent cations (78 % for Al³⁺ and 22 % for Fe³⁺), 7.5 % of Mg²⁺, and 2.5 % of Ti⁴⁺, all of them linked to 1.94 of structural hydroxyls. The two remaining Mg²⁺ by half-cell occupy edge M₃ sites and are coordinated to 3.88 molecules of OH₂. Channels of this palygorskite are deficient in zeolitic H₂O since they contain only 2.43 H₂O molecules. A correlation was found between these results and the observation of very intense and well-resolved FTIR bands arising from dioctahedral domains (mainly Al₂OH, Fe₂OH, and AlFeOH) along with very small responses from a trioctahedral domain (Mg₃OH). Accordingly, a schematic representation of the composition of the octahedral sheet was proposed. The cation exchange capacity, specific surface area, and total pore volume were also assessed to be ca. 21.2 meq/100 g, 116 m²/g, and 0.458 cm³/g, respectively.     

Neogene exhumation of the Marrakech High Atlas (Morocco) recorded by apatite fission-track analysis

Apatite fission-track (AFT) data have been obtained along a traverse across the Marrakech High Atlas to constrain its tectono-thermal evolution. AFT ages vary between 212 ± 15 Ma and 20 ± 4 Ma. An Early Miocene AFT age accompanied by long mean track length from the central part of the chain has been interpreted as the timing of the main inversion of this region with the creation of relief because of the shortening induced by the interplay between the African and Eurasian plates. Thermal modelling of samples collected south of the South Atlas Fault Zone indicates a Middle-Late Miocene or even later cooling that has been attributed to the component of the uplift of the chain related to the thermal anomaly present beneath the Atlas Mountains.     

Crustal structure under the central High Atlas Mountains (Morocco) from geological and gravity data

Seismic wide angle and receiver function results together with geological data have been used as constraints to build a gravity-based crustal model of the central High Atlas of Morocco. Integration of a newly acquired set of gravity values with public data allowed us to undertake 2–2.5D gravity modelling along two profiles that cross the entire mountain chain. Modelling suggests moderate crustal thickening, and a general state of Airy isostatic undercompensation. Localized thickening appears restricted to the vicinity of a north-dipping crustal-scale thrust fault, that offsets the Moho discontinuity and defines a small crustal root which accounts for the minimum Bouguer gravity anomaly values. Gravity modelling indicates that this root has a northeasterly strike, slightly oblique to the ENE general orientation of the High Atlas belt. A consequence of the obliquity between the High Atlas borders and its internal and deep structure is the lack of correlation between Bouguer gravity anomaly values and topography. Active buckling affecting the crust, a highly elevated asthenosphere, or a combination of both are addressed as side mechanisms that help to maintain the high elevations of the Atlas mountains.     

Biological metal accumulation in the red beds (Guettioua Member) of the Bathonian (Dogger) of Msemrir,Central High Atlas,Morocco

A fluviatile sequence is described from the Dogger (Bathonian) of Msemrir (Central High Atlas, Morocco). The base comprises laminites with fine clouds of galena and some zinc minerals, while the rest of the profile consists of point bars with conglomerates. Due to their limitation on lower energy levels, the sulphide minerals are interpreted as biological metal accumulations of bacterial metabolic processes.

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Zusammenfassung Aus dem Dogger (Bathonium) vom Msemrir (Zentraler Hoher Atlas, Marokko) wird ein vorwiegend fluviatiles Profil beschrieben. An der Basis besteht es aus laminierten Serien, in denen feinverteilter Bleiglanz vorkommt. Am Top des Profils finden sich vor allem große Rinnenkörper mit Konglomeraten und vereinzelten Knochenresten. Die sulfidischen Vererzungen in den niedrig-energetischen Bereichen werden als biogenetische Anreicherungen, hervorgerufen durch bakterielle Umsetzungen, interpretiert.

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Résumé Nous présentons et décrivons une séquence fluviatile du Bathonien de Msemrir (Haut Atlas Central, Maroc). La base est constituée de laminites dans lesquelles se trouve de la galène finement répartie. La couche suivante comporte de grands chenaux contenant des conglomérats et, ça et là, des débris osseux et des restes de végétaux. Les minéralisations sulfurées dans les zones de basse énergie sont interprétées comme des accumulations biogénétiques dues à une activité bactérienne.

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A Middle Jurassic sauropod tracksite in the Argana Basin,Western High Atlas,Morocco: an example of paleoichnological heritage for sustainable geotourism

A Middle Jurassic site at Tafaytour area (Argana Basin, Morocco) with trackways of six large sauropod dinosaurs is regarded as having high scientific and touristic value. The new dinosaur track site is extremely vulnerable, and suffers from continuous degradation caused by weathering and human activity. Documentation and protection of this tracksite is still a necessity for its integration into local geotourism activities, where it may have a socio-economic impact on the local population. Taking into consideration many similar tracksites, and strata of great paleontological interest in Morocco, including the Tafaytour tracksite, the implementation of legislation for the protection of Morocco's geological heritage, especially the paleoichnological heritage, to protect against destruction, is strongly recommended. This is necessary to cement geoheritage impact, both for scientific reasons and to value add to the socio-economic activities of the local people.     

Hydrogeologic effects on the quality of water in the Oued Issen watershed, western Upper Atlas Mountains, Morocco

The study of spatial and temporal variations of some hydrochemical properties in the Oued Issen watershed, Morocco, has revealed their close relation to the area's lithologic and geologic characteristics and to variations in hydroclimatological cycles. High concentrations of sodium chloride are measured during flood periods, when the outcrops of the basin are leached by streams draining the rather dense hydrographic network. These variations depend also on the relative abundance of tributaries on both sides of the Oued, their respective contributions being hydrochemically very different: (1) northern-side tributaries, which mainly leach evaporitic terranes dating from the Late Triassic and Late Liassic periods and which are rich in gypsum and halite, increase the mineralization of the Oued Issen waters flowing toward the Abdelmoumen Dam; (2) the low salinity of water observed in the upstream portion of the watershed is due to dilution by waters from the southern-side tributaries, which are derived from snowmelt and the leaching of the high Paleozoic massif; (3) in the middle part of the basin, the increase in mineralization of the Oued Issen becomes substantial between the Abdelmoumen Dam and the Dkhila Dam, the next dam downstream, due to the absence of dilution by waters from the southern-side tributaries, which are sparse in this part of the basin. In addition, during flood periods, the outflow from the first dam is stopped. Thus, the main contribution of NaCl to the Oued is from the very salty Tirkou spring, which is situated downstream from the first dam. The geological characteristics of the basin have induced the development of high-salinity zones, which are particularly evident in the southwestern part of the basin in the vicinity of the confluence of the Oued Boulebaz with the Oued Issen. The discharge of very salty springs is controlled by faults that offset the formations that underlie the hydrographic network and degrade the quality of the Oued Issen. This water later recharges the unconfined aquifer along the Oued where it flows on the Oued Souss Plain. Received, July 1998/Revised, July 1999, September 1999/Accepted, November 1999     

Mesozoic and Cenozoic vertical movements in the Atlas system (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia): An overview

The E-W trending Atlas System of Maghreb consists of weakly shortened, intra-continental fold belts associated with plateau areas (“Mesetas”), extending between the south-westernmost branch of the Mediterranean Alpine Belt (Rif-Tell) and the Sahara Platform. Although the Atlas system has been erected contemporaneously from Morocco to Algeria and Tunisia during the Middle Eocene to Recent, it displays a conspicuous longitudinal asymmetry, with i) Paleozoic outcrops restricted to its western part; ii) highest elevation occurring in the west, both in the Atlas System and its foreland (Anti-Atlas); iii) low elevation corridors (e.g. Hodna) and depressed foreland (Tunisian Chotts and Sahel area) in the east. We analyse the origin of these striking contrasts in relation with i) the Variscan heritage; ii) crustal vertical movements during the Mesozoic; iii) crustal shortening during the Cenozoic and finally, iv) the occurrence of a Miocene-Quaternary hot mantle anomaly in the west. The Maghreb lithosphere was affected by the Variscan orogeny, and thus thickened only in its western part. During the Late Permian-Triassic, a paleo-high formed in the west between the Central Atlantic and Alpine Tethys rift systems, giving birth to the emergent/poorly subsident West Moroccan Arch. During the late Middle Jurassic-Early Cretaceous, Morocco and western Algeria were dominantly emergent whereas rifting lasted on in eastern Algeria and Tunisia. We ascribe the uplift of the western regions to thermal doming, consistent with the Late Jurassic and Barremian gabbroic magmatism observed there. After the widespread transgression of the high stand Cenomanian-Turonian seas, the inversion of the Atlas System began during the Senonian as a consequence of the Africa-Eurasia convergence. Erosion affected three ENE-trending uplifted areas of NW Africa, which we consider as lithospheric anticlines related to the incipient Africa-Europe convergence. In contrast, in eastern Algeria and Tunisia a NW-trending rift system developed contemporaneously (Sirt rifting), normal to the general trend of the Atlas System. The general inversion and orogenesis of the Atlas System occurred during two distinct episodes, Middle-Late Eocene-Oligocene and Late Miocene-Pliocene, respectively, whereas during the intervening period, the Africa-Europe convergence was mainly accommodated in the Rif-Tell system. Inversion tectonics and crustal thickening may account for the moderate uplift of the eastern Atlas System, not for the high elevation of the western mountain ranges (Middle Atlas, High Atlas, Anti-Atlas). In line with previous authors, we ascribe part of the recent uplift of the latter regions to the occurrence of a NE-trending, high-temperature mantle anomaly, here labelled the Moroccan Hot Line (MHL), which is also marked by a strip of late Miocene-Quaternary alkaline magmatism and significant seismicity.     

A simple and efficient approach to predict reservoir settling volume: case study of Bin El Ouidane reservoir (Morocco)

The negligence of the cumulative deposit volume over years may lead to uselessness of a pre-established and efficient reservoir management method. In this objective, this paper tries to introduce a simple approach to forecast annually the volume lost from the reservoir capacity. The suggested approach employs the modified universal soil loss equation (MUSLE) and the Dendy and Bolton (J Soil Water Conserv 31:264–266, 1976) methods, in addition to the sediment consolidation process. This process permits to follow the evolution of sediment deposit volume throughout the years. For application, we selected the reservoir of Bin El Ouidane (Morocco), for which we have tried to fit a linear regression between sediment yield and observed settling volumes. The optimization process was assured by the algorithm genetic and the OptQuest methods. The results show a high significant (R²?=?0.9513, RMSE?=?8.5428, and p value?=?0.0009) linear regression between cumulative sediment yield volume and accumulated measured lost volume from the reservoir of Bin El Ouidane. The use of a linear relation is justified by the fact that all nonlinear regressions in long term are composed of multiple linear regressions in short term. Nevertheless, this method can become more efficient, and confirmed for real forecasting applications by performing modifications essentially related to in situ measures of different variables. Finally, and considering its simplicity regarding input data and application, the proposed approach converges to efficient results. Therefore, and after validation in other reservoirs, this method can be used to forecast annual reservoir settling at short term.     

Capturing and modelling metre‐scale spatial facies heterogeneity in a Jurassic ramp setting (Central High Atlas,Morocco)

Each simulation algorithm, including Truncated Gaussian Simulation, Sequential Indicator Simulation and Indicator Kriging is characterized by different operating modes, which variably influence the facies proportion, distribution and association of digital outcrop models, as shown in clastic sediments. A detailed study of carbonate heterogeneity is then crucial to understanding these differences and providing rules for carbonate modelling. Through a continuous exposure of Bajocian carbonate strata, a study window (320 m long, 190 m wide and 30 m thick) was investigated and metre‐scale lithofacies heterogeneity was captured and modelled using closely‐spaced sections. Ten lithofacies, deposited in a shallow‐water carbonate‐dominated ramp, were recognized and their dimensions and associations were documented. Field data, including height sections, were georeferenced and input into the model. Four models were built in the present study. Model A used all sections and Truncated Gaussian Simulation during the stochastic simulation. For the three other models, Model B was generated using Truncated Gaussian Simulation as for Model A, Model C was generated using Sequential Indicator Simulation and Model D was generated using Indicator Kriging. These three additional models were built by removing two out of eight sections from data input. The removal of sections allows direct insights on geological uncertainties at inter‐well spacings by comparing modelled and described sections. Other quantitative and qualitative comparisons were carried out between models to understand the advantages/disadvantages of each algorithm. Model A is used as the base case. Indicator Kriging (Model D) simplifies the facies distribution by assigning continuous geological bodies of the most abundant lithofacies to each zone. Sequential Indicator Simulation (Model C) is confident to conserve facies proportion when geological heterogeneity is complex. The use of trend with Truncated Gaussian Simulation is a powerful tool for modelling well‐defined spatial facies relationships. However, in shallow‐water carbonate, facies can coexist and their association can change through time and space. The present study shows that the scale of modelling (depositional environment or lithofacies) involves specific simulation constraints on shallow‐water carbonate modelling methods.     

Controls and predictability of carbonate facies architecture in a Lower Jurassic three-dimensional barrier-shoal complex (Djebel Bou Dahar, High Atlas, Morocco)

Spatial information on lithofacies from outcrops is paramount for understanding the internal dynamics, external controls and degree of predictability of the facies architecture of shallow‐water carbonate‐platform tops. To quantify the spatial distribution and vertical stacking of lithofacies within an outer‐platform shoal‐barrier complex, integrated facies analysis and digital field technologies have been applied to a high‐relief carbonate platform exposed in the Djebel Bou Dahar (Lower Jurassic, High Atlas, Morocco). The outer platform is characterized by subtidal, cross‐bedded, coarse grainstone to rudstone grading into supratidal, pisoidal packstone‐rudstone with tepees that together formed a 350 to 420 m wide shoal‐barrier belt parallel to the margin. This belt acted as a topographic high separating a restricted lagoon from the subtidal, open marine region. Low‐energy tidal flats developed on the protected flank of the barrier facing the lagoon. Lithofacies patterns were captured quantitatively from outcrop and integrated into a digital outcrop model. The outcrop model enabled rapid visualization of field data and efficient extraction of quantitative data such as widths of facies belts. In addition, the spatial heterogeneity was captured in multiple time slices, i.e. during different phases of cyclic base‐level fluctuations. In general, the lateral continuity of lithofacies is highest when relative water depth increased during flooding of the platform top, establishing low‐energy subtidal conditions across the whole platform, and when the accommodation space was filled with tidal flat facies. Heterogeneity increased during deposition of the relief‐building bar facies that promoted spatial diversification of depositional environments during the initial phases of accommodation space creation. Cycles commonly are composed of a thin transgressive tidal flat unit, followed by coated‐grain rudstone bar facies. Lateral to the bar facies, pisoidal‐grainstone beach deposits accumulated. These bar and beach deposits were overlain by subtidal lagoonal facies or would grow through the maximum flooding and highstand. There the bars either graded into supratidal pisoidal facies with tepees (when accommodation space was filled) or were capped by subaerial exposure (due to a sea‐level fall). Modified embedded Markov analysis was used to test the presence of common ordering in vertical lithofacies stacking in a stationary interval (constant depositional mode). Analysis of individual sections did not reveal any ordering, which may be related to the limited thickness of these sections. Composite sections, however, rejected the null hypothesis of randomness. The addition of stratigraphically significant information to the Markov analysis, such as exposure surfaces and lateral dimensions of facies bodies, strengthens the verdict of unambiguous preferential ordering. Through careful quantitative reconstruction of stratal geometry and facies relationships in fully integrated digital outcrop models, accurate depositional models could be established that enhanced the predictability of carbonate sediment accumulation.