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.     

Combination of GIS and mathematical modeling to predict floods in semiarid areas: case of Rheraya watershed (Western High Atlas,Morocco)

The Tinitine sub-watershed of Rheraya is renowned for its semiarid climate, irregular supply of water flow, and its historical floods; for these reasons, it is classified as vulnerable areas during a rainfall event. We conducted this study to propose flood prediction models adapted to this risky zone. For this, a hydrological method of flood forecasting rainfall-runoff used to determine a model conforms to the semiarid basin. This model is based on the articulation of the series production and transfer function. The goal of the production function is to determine the portion of the rainfall runoff, which is performed by two approaches that differ in their structures: (1) the first approach is based on the mathematical model of Horton; (2) the second approach is based on the determination of the part of the rain contributes to runoff and obtained by a spatial map of runoff coefficient (GIS). The transfer function is based on the two models of Clark and Nash, rainy efficient routes to the catchment outlet from a unit hydrograph. The characteristic parameters of these models are obtained through the application of mathematical optimization methods such as genetic algorithms. Thereby, the coupling function producing Horton (identified by the parameters: initial infiltration?=?15.03, final infiltration?=?0.3, and phi?=?0.45) and Clark transfer function (identified by the parameters C_A?=?0.21 and C_B?=?0.79) was given very satisfying results, mainly the low difference between observed and simulated hydrograph and Nash coefficient which is about 85%. This shows the interest of this coupling model in flood forecasting.     

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.     

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.

     

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.     

Jurassic penetrative deformation and Cenozoic uplift in the Central High Atlas (Morocco): A tectonic model. structural and orogenic inversions

The Central High Atlas is characterized by a relatively mild deformation, with a local development of a more or less penetrative cleavage in the axial part of the belt. Locally, this cleavage and the plutonic bodies which outcrop in the core of most of the north-east trending anticlines (ridges »with intrusions«) are overlain by a disconformable sequence that comprises red clastic deposits which are capped by Cenomano-Turonian limestones. The age of these red deposits are bracketted between Bathonian to Mid-Cretaceous. Therefore, the spatial relationship of the cleavage with mafic intrusions, in the axial part of the Central High Atlas, suggests that it developed contemporaneously with the emplacement of magmas, probably during Mid-Jurassic times. During this period, the structural inversion occurred, from a transtensional regime to a transpressive regime.There are few indications that an important shortening persisted within the axial part of the Central High Atlas after the end of the Jurassic. Along the northern and the southern borders of the belt, however, Cretaceous and Cenozoic strata were deposited. Their sedimentary facies bear witness of successive stages of the Atlas evolution. Especially, the rapidly coarsening up of the clastic deposits since the Oligocene in these marginal basins indicates the onset of the rising up of the belt, i. e. the orogenic inversion.

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Zusammenfassung Der zentrale Hohe Atlas ist eine intrakontinentale Gebirgskette, die sich im Bereich der zwischen dem Sahara-Plateau und dem marokkanischen Variszikum gelegenen Trias- und Jurabecken herausbildete. Dieses junge Gebirge, dessen höchste Erhebungen über 4000 Meter hoch sind, ist durch einen relativ geringen Verkürzungsgrad gekennzeichnet. Axial tritt jedoch eine Schieferung auf im Bereich der N80° E ausgerichteten antiklinalen Hauptfalten sowie rund um die N45° E verlaufenden »Intrusions-Falten« und die Gangfelder. Die räumlichen Beziehungen dieser Schieferung zu den synsedimentären Faltungsstrukturen und den Gängen legen die Vermutung nahe, daß ihre Hausbildung während des Doggers mit dem Aufstieg und dem Eindringen der Plutone in das Sedimentgestein zeitlich zusammenfiel. In diesem Zeitraum erfolgte eine Strukturumkehrung, die das allmähliche Verschließen der Becken und das Zustandekommen der Schieferung bewirkte.Im Laufe des Tertiärs wurde nach und nach das gesamte Atlasgebiet einer etwa N-S gerichteten Einspannung ausgesetzt. Mit der Ablagerung immer gröberer Sedimente in den letzten Randbekken setzte schließlich im Oligozän die orogene Inversion ein, die das Gebirgsrelief bedingt hat.

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Résumé Le Haut Atlas central est une chaîne intracontinentale qui s'est développée à l'emplacement de bassins subsidents triasiques et jurassiques installés en bordure de la plate-forme saharienne et de la chaîne hercynienne marocaine. Cette chaîne récente qui culmine à plus de 4000 mètres, est caractérisée par un taux de raccourcissement modeste. Cependant, dans son axe, une déformation pénétrative s'observe au droit des rides anticlinales majeures N 80° E, et autour des »rides avec intrusions« N 45° E et des champs filoniens. Les relations spatiales de cette schistosité avec les structures plicatives synsédimentaires et les intrusions nous conduisent à considérer son développement comme globalement contemporain de la mise en place des plutons dans la couverture sédimentaire. L'âge des dépôts détritiques, discordants sur les roches intrusives et sur le Lias schistosé, étant estimé callovien ou wealdien, la déformation synschisteuse est par conséquent d'âge postbathonien et antécrétacé. C'est pendant cette période que se manifeste, avec le passage d'un régime tectonique contrôlé par le jeu de décrochements senestres E-W à un autre dominé par le fonctionnement de décrochements senestres NE-SW en compression, une inversion structurale responsable de la fermeture progressive des bassins et du développement de la schistosité.Au cours du Tertiaire, une compression subméridienne a progressivement affecté tout le domaine atlasique. Et c'est à partir de l'Oligocène, avec l'arrivée de dépôts détritiques de plus en plus grossiers dans les bassins résiduels bordiers, que débute l'inversion orogénique, responsable du relief de la chaîne.

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, , Map. , , , 4000 m., . N 80° N 45° » «, . , . , , , . , , N-S . , .

     

Estimating aquifer recharge in Mission River watershed, Texas: model development and calibration using genetic algorithms

Soil moisture balance studies provide a convenient approach to estimate aquifer recharge when only limited site-specific data are available. A monthly mass-balance approach has been utilized in this study to estimate recharge in a small watershed in the coastal bend of South Texas. The developed lumped parameter model employs four adjustable parameters to calibrate model predicted stream runoff to observations at a gaging station. A new procedure was developed to correctly capture the intermittent nature of rainfall. The total monthly rainfall was assigned to a single-equivalent storm whose duration was obtained via calibration. A total of four calibrations were carried out using an evolutionary computing technique called genetic algorithms as well as the conventional gradient descent (GD) technique. Ordinary least squares and the heteroscedastic maximum likelihood error (HMLE) based objective functions were evaluated as part of this study as well. While the genetic algorithm based calibrations were relatively better in capturing the peak runoff events, the GD based calibration did slightly better in capturing the low flow events. Treating the Box-Cox exponent in the HMLE function as a calibration parameter did not yield better estimates and the study corroborates the suggestion made in the literature of fixing this exponent at 0.3. The model outputs were compared against available information and results indicate that the developed modeling approach provides a conservative estimate of recharge.     

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.     

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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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.     

Lithostratigraphy,biostratigraphy and sedimentary dynamics of the Lower Cretaceous deposits on the northern side of the western High Atlas (Morocco)

The analysis of a sedimentary succession on the northern side of the western High Atlas, from Essaouira to Amizmiz, has enabled us to identify, and describe, thirteen formations ranging in age from Tithonian to Clansayesian. The collection and determination of ammonite and echinoid faunas has allowed us to attribute a precise age to most of these units. Lower Cretaceous formations are organized into six main depositional sequences: Late Jurassic-Berriasian; Valanginian; Hauterivian-Barremian; Bedoulian; Gargasian; Clansayesian-Albian. This organization, the characteristics of the major discontinuities and the geometry of sedimentary succession allows recognition of the following events: a Late Berriasian distensive phase; a period of sea-level change and basin infilling during Valanginian, Hauterivian, Barremian and Bedoulian times under essentially eustatic control; an intra-Aptian tectonic phase; and a period of relative sea level rise and topographic levelling during Gargasian-Albian. This is essentially linked to the evolution of the North Atlantic ocean during the Early Cretaceous.     

Les dykes basiques du massif ancien de l'Ourika (Atlas de Marrakech,Maroc) : géochimie et significationThe basic dykes of the Ourika old massif (High Atlas of Marrakech): Geochemistry and significance

The Precambrian massif of Ourika is crosscut by two systems of basic dykes, striking N40°E and N90–120°E. Using incompatible trace elements, the two systems form two distinct chemical groups, displaying a continental tholeiitic affinity. The composition variations between the two defined groups can be due to heterogeneities of mantle sources and to contamination, during the magma ascent, by the continental crust. The emplacement of these basic dykes, before the late-PIII formations, can be related to the Neoproterozoic distension generalised to the Anti-Atlas chain. To cite this article: A. Barakat et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 827–833.     

The Selloum Basin: new element of the Middle Liassic paleogeography in the southern Middle Atlas (Morocco)

A comparative study of the Middle Liassic series in the south western part of the Middle Atlas system leads to the definition of three new formations called Fellat 1, 2 and 3. They mainly involve gravity-flow deposits related to the breakup of the regional carbonate platform in a subsiding area, the Selloum Basin. The creation of this basin provides evidence for a rifting stage during the Carixian–Domerian interval, inducing the separation of the Selloum unit with respect to the Middle Atlasic trough and its possible connection with the High Atlasic sedimentary domain.     

Jurassic‐to‐present thermal history of the central High Atlas (Morocco) assessed by low‐temperature thermochronology

Apatite fission track (AFT) and (U–Th)/He data from the High Atlas have been obtained for the first time to constrain the tectono‐thermal evolution of the central part of the chain. Results from Palaeozoic basement massifs indicate long residence at low temperatures, consistently with their original location out of the deepest Mesozoic rift troughs and indicating minor exhumation. The best rocks for extracting the Alpine history of the Atlas Mountains are Jurassic intrusives, which yield AFT ages centred on c. 80 Ma; thermal models based on AFT data and constrained by (U–Th)/He suggest that these ages are included in a slow cooling trend from intrusion age to c. 50 Ma ago that we attribute to post‐rift thermal relaxation. This is followed by a stability period of c. 30 Ma and then by a final exhumational cooling until present exposure. Eocene intrusives yield AFT ages similar to those of Rb–Sr and K–Ar suggesting rapid emplacement in the uppermost crust.     

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.     

Geological evolution and structural style of the Palaeozoic Tafilalt sub‐basin,eastern Anti‐Atlas (Morocco,North Africa)

The Tafilalt is one of a number of generally unexplored sub‐basins in the eastern Anti‐Atlas of Morocco, all of which probably underwent a similar tectono‐stratigraphic evolution during the Palaeozoic Era. Analysis of over 1000 km of 2‐D seismic reflection profiles, with the interpretation of ten regional seismic sections and five isopach and isobath maps, suggests a multi‐phase deformation history for the Palaeozoic‐aged Tafilalt sub‐basins. Extensional phases were probably initiated in the Cambrian, followed by uniform thermal subsidence up to at least the end of the Silurian. Major extension and subsidence did not begin prior to Middle/Upper Devonian times. Extensional movements on the major faults bounding the basin to the north and to the south took place in synchronisation with Upper Devonian sedimentation, which provides the thickest part of the sedimentary sequence in the basin. The onset of the compressional phase in Carboniferous times is indicated by reflectors in the Carboniferous sequence progressively onlapping onto the Upper Devonian sequence. This period of compression developed folds and faults in the Upper Palaeozoic‐aged strata, producing a structural style characteristic of thin‐skinned fold and thrust belts. The Late Palaeozoic units are detached over a regional décollement with a northward tectonic vergence. The folds have been formed by the process of fault‐propagation folding related to the thrust imbricates that ramp up‐section from the décollement. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An extension to the DRASTIC model to assess groundwater vulnerability to pollution: application to the Haouz aquifer of Marrakech (Morocco)

An extension to the DRASTIC model is proposed in order to assess aquifer vulnerability to pollution. In contrast to the DRASTIC model, which considers the unsaturated and saturated zones together and computes a global intrinsic vulnerability index, the suggested approach discriminates between the aquifer vertical vulnerability (a concept related to the pollutant percolation) and the groundwater susceptibility (a concept that depends on the behaviour and uses of the groundwater). This approach is applied to the Haouz aquifer (Morocco) that supplies water to the Marrakech area. This aquifer is widely overexploited and there is evidence that the groundwater quality is threatened by various sources of pollution. Evaluation of the vertical vulnerability indicates that the aquifer mainly presents a moderate-to-weak vertical vulnerability. The zones potentially most favourable to pollutant percolation are mainly located in Central Haouz, along or near the surface wadis. The aquifer susceptibility is high in places located near the N’Fis, Baaja and Issil wadis. Everywhere else, low-to-moderate susceptibility is observed. This new approach therefore enables areas of vertical vulnerability and areas of susceptibility to be delineated separately. As a result, it constitutes a valuable decision-making tool for optimising the management of aquifer water resources and land-use planning.     

Planning and systematic management of water resources by the WEAP model,case of the Mabtouh watershed (northwestern Algeria)

Water management remains a complex task due to the multiplicity of users-consumers, which necessitates the use of planning tools and decision support in a rigorous manner. The objective of the present study is to find an alternative solution to the water use conflict applied to a scale of a hydrographic unit. Our choice focused on the Mebtouh River watershed (1306 km²), where there is a chronic water shortage. With an irrigated perimeter of 8200 ha and an urban area with a regional dimension, the hydraulic system is based on a Dam (Cheurfa) with a capacity of 83 hm³ and diversions by pumping over the river. The methodology adopted is the application of the WEAP software, with a view to constructing a water resource allocation model by 2050. The data set consists of the physical parameters of the study area, hydroclimatic records for the reference year (2015), and the estimation of urban and agricultural water demand sites. The results obtained by the WEAP model applied to our study area confirm the validation of the data used. Therefore, it is timely to develop a water resources management tool to reduce user-consumer tensions at the planned planning timeline.     

Tracing the metasomatic and magmatic evolution of continental mantle roots with Sr, Nd, Hf and and Pb isotopes: A case study of Middle Atlas (Morocco) peridotite xenoliths

We studied clinopyroxenes from spinel-facies peridotite xenoliths sampled by the Quaternary intra-plate volcanism of the Middle Atlas (Morocco) and present new trace element and Sr-Nd-Hf isotope data. However, we focus in particular on Pb isotope data and ²³⁸U/²⁰⁴Pb and ²³²Th/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of these clinopyroxenes. This data allows us to investigate: (a) the timing of metasomatic events, (b) the prevalence and persistence of elevated ²³⁸U/²⁰⁴Pb, ²³²Th/²³⁸U and ²³²Th/²⁰⁴Pb in continental mantle roots and (c) the ²³⁸U/²⁰⁴Pb and ²³²Th/²⁰⁴Pb composition of putative basaltic melts generated from such metasomatised sub-continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM).Incompatible trace element concentrations in these clinopyroxenes are elevated, marked by high-field strength element depletion and fractionated elemental ratios (e.g., U/Nb, Zr/Hf) most consistent with enrichment due to carbonatitic liquids. Sr, Nd and Hf isotopes have an affinity to HIMU.U, Th and Pb abundances in the clinopyroxenes generally exceed estimates of primitive mantle clinopyroxene. Pb isotope compositions of these clinopyroxenes are radiogenic and vary between ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 19.93-20.25, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.63-15.66 and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 39.72-40.23. These Pb isotope systematics result in generally negative Δ7/4 but positive Δ8/4; setting these samples distinctly apart from typical HIMU. These Pb isotope compositions are also distinct from the associated host volcanic rocks. ²³⁸U/²⁰⁴Pb and ²³²Th/²⁰⁴Pb of these clinopyroxenes, which range from 26 to 81 and 136 to 399, respectively, are elevated and more extreme than estimates of MORB- and HIMU-source mantle.The Pb isotope evolution of the clinopyroxenes suggests that the metasomatic enrichment is younger than 200 Ma, which discounts the volcanic activity due to the opening of the Atlantic and the onset of the collision of the African and Eurasian plates as processes generating the lithophile element and isotope composition of this continental mantle root. Instead, the enrichment is thought to be associated with the Quaternary intra-plate volcanism in the Middle Atlas. However, the erupted mafic melts have unradiogenic Pb isotopes and lower ²³⁸U/²⁰⁴Pb, ²³²Th/²⁰⁴Pb and ²³²Th/²³⁸U relative to the clinopyroxene and do not seem to have equilibrated with the clinopyroxenes. The high Th abundances and the high ²³²Th/²³⁸U also suggest that the metasomatism was due to carbonatitic liquids.When literature data for Pb isotopes in mantle minerals are considered, the Pb isotope range of Archean, Proterozoic and Phanerozoic continental mantle roots is remarkable in that they are similar to the convecting mantle. This observation does not support the existence of sub-continental lithospheric mantle with high ²³⁸U/²⁰⁴Pb and ²³²Th/²⁰⁴Pb for long periods of time. Consequently, the narrow range of Pb isotopes in SCLM worldwide suggests that only the youngest metasomatic events are recorded by incompatible elements such as U, Th and Pb. Numerical modelling of putative magmas generated from Middle Atlas SCLM by fractional, non-modal melting calculations yield extremely high ²³⁸U/²⁰⁴Pb and ²³²Th/²⁰⁴Pb ratios. For example, pure SCLM magmas generated from 0.5% to 10% melting are anticipated to have ²³²Th/²⁰⁴Pb ratios exceeding those known from terrestrial basalts.     

Mapping potential areas for groundwater storage in the High Guir Basin(Morocco): Contribution of remote sensing and geographic information system

Identification of water potential areas in arid regions is a crucial element for the enhancement of their water resources and socio-economic development. In fact, water resources system-planning can be used to make various decisions and implement manage- ment of water resources policies. The purpose of this study is to identify groundwater sto- rage areas in the high Guir Basin by implementing Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing methods. The required data for this study can be summarized into five critical factors: Topography (slope), lithology, rainfall, rock fracture and drainage. These critical factors have been converted by the GIS into thematic maps. For each cri- tical parameter, a coefficient with weight was attributed according to its importance. The map of potential groundwater storage areas is obtained by adding the products (coeffi- cient × weight) of the five parameters. The results show that 50% to 64% of the total area of the High Guir Basin is potentially rich in groundwater, where most of fracture systems are intensely developed. The obtained results are validated with specific yield of the aqui- fer in the study area. It is noted that there is a strong positive correlation between excel- lent groundwater potential zones with high flows of water points and it diminishes with low specific yield with poor potential zones.