The geology of Morocco Structure, stratigraphy, and tectonics of the Africa-Atlantic-Mediterranean triple junction
Morocco is located in the northwestern part of Africa. It represents one of the sectors in the world where most of the problems of earth sciences can be tackled. It helps to understand the geological relationships that exist on the one hand between Africa and Europe and on the other hand, between Africa and the Americas (opening of the Atlantic). It allows us to travel back in time from the Paleoproterozoic to the present day. This succession of events makes Morocco a privileged field of study, but also a particularly complex area.
From North to South, Morocco includes three structural areas which are:
1- Rifain domain:
Belongs to the northern part of Morocco, it continues to the north by the Betic chain, to the east by the Tellian and Kabyle chains, bordered to the west by the Atlantic Ocean, and by the Atlas domain to the south. The Rifain domain is a unit of the bedding plows resulting from alpine orogeny. It includes three areas which are from North to South:
* The internal domain: is represented in two regions on the Mediterranean coast: between Sebta and Jabha and in Bokkoya. By origin, this area is linked to the Alboran plate, distinguished in the Mesozoic between Africa and Europe and consists of several crystalline and sedimentary units.
* The area of the flysch tablecloths: is composed of detrital sedimentary series deposited in a deep basin, located at the margin of the Alboran plate.
* The external domain (external Rif): this is the major part of the chain which is formed by a set of slicks or carted tablecloths on an indigenous to para-indigenous substratum (intrariff, mesorif and prerifan zone).
2- Meseto-Atlas domain:
It is a domain bordered by the Rifain domain in the North, and by the anti-Atlas domain in the South; it includes three structural units:
* Atlas chains (Middle and High Atlas):
They represent an example of intracontinental chains structured by the alpine orogeny. They are limited by the South Atlas Accident (ASA) and the Rif, this area consists of:
a) Paleozoic Substratum: It is an age base from the Cambrian to the Carboniferous, represented mainly by sedimentary soils with intense bimodal volcanic activity in the Visean. This base was structured by the Hercynian orogeny responsible also for the establishment of numerous intrusions of granitoids.
b) Cover: formed of essentially carbonate, mesozoic and cenozoic terrains comprising two structural units: i) An area with pleated cover comprising the High Atlas and the pleated Middle Atlas, having undergone early alpine tectonics. ii) An area with tabular coverage: comprising the Causse middle atlasique, the Hauts Plateaux and the Pays des Horts in eastern Morocco.
* Trays :
Are tabular geographic areas extending between strings; they show a tabular alpine cover surmounting a tectonically stable primary base. These platforms are subdivided into two categories:
a) Central Plateau (Meseta Occidentale): It reveals part of the Hercynian substratum in the form of buttonholes during recent tertiary and quaternary movements. They are, going from SW towards NE; The Jebilet massif, Rhamna, central Morocco (central massif) and Tazzeka.
b) Highlands (Meseta Orientale): Located between the Middle Atlas and the High Atlas, they show a Hercynian substratum which is less visible compared to the Western meseta.
* The Low Plains or South Atlas Furrow:
They correspond to tectonically collapsed basins of the Mesetian and Atlas domain: i) Essaoura-Haouz basin which separates the Jebilets from the High Atlas, ii) Bahira-Tadla basin which separates the Jebilets from the Rhamna. and iii) South Rifain Furrow.
3- Anti-Atlas domain and these Saharan borders:
It’s the southern part, closely linked to the West African Craton (CWA) in the South. To the north it is limited by the South Atlas Accident (A.S.A), this area is formed by a Proterozoic basement.
From North to South, Morocco includes three structural areas which are:
1- Rifain domain:
Belongs to the northern part of Morocco, it continues to the north by the Betic chain, to the east by the Tellian and Kabyle chains, bordered to the west by the Atlantic Ocean, and by the Atlas domain to the south. The Rifain domain is a unit of the bedding plows resulting from alpine orogeny. It includes three areas which are from North to South:
* The internal domain: is represented in two regions on the Mediterranean coast: between Sebta and Jabha and in Bokkoya. By origin, this area is linked to the Alboran plate, distinguished in the Mesozoic between Africa and Europe and consists of several crystalline and sedimentary units.
* The area of the flysch tablecloths: is composed of detrital sedimentary series deposited in a deep basin, located at the margin of the Alboran plate.
* The external domain (external Rif): this is the major part of the chain which is formed by a set of slicks or carted tablecloths on an indigenous to para-indigenous substratum (intrariff, mesorif and prerifan zone).
2- Meseto-Atlas domain:
It is a domain bordered by the Rifain domain in the North, and by the anti-Atlas domain in the South; it includes three structural units:
* Atlas chains (Middle and High Atlas):
They represent an example of intracontinental chains structured by the alpine orogeny. They are limited by the South Atlas Accident (ASA) and the Rif, this area consists of:
a) Paleozoic Substratum: It is an age base from the Cambrian to the Carboniferous, represented mainly by sedimentary soils with intense bimodal volcanic activity in the Visean. This base was structured by the Hercynian orogeny responsible also for the establishment of numerous intrusions of granitoids.
b) Cover: formed of essentially carbonate, mesozoic and cenozoic terrains comprising two structural units: i) An area with pleated cover comprising the High Atlas and the pleated Middle Atlas, having undergone early alpine tectonics. ii) An area with tabular coverage: comprising the Causse middle atlasique, the Hauts Plateaux and the Pays des Horts in eastern Morocco.
* Trays :
Are tabular geographic areas extending between strings; they show a tabular alpine cover surmounting a tectonically stable primary base. These platforms are subdivided into two categories:
a) Central Plateau (Meseta Occidentale): It reveals part of the Hercynian substratum in the form of buttonholes during recent tertiary and quaternary movements. They are, going from SW towards NE; The Jebilet massif, Rhamna, central Morocco (central massif) and Tazzeka.
b) Highlands (Meseta Orientale): Located between the Middle Atlas and the High Atlas, they show a Hercynian substratum which is less visible compared to the Western meseta.
* The Low Plains or South Atlas Furrow:
They correspond to tectonically collapsed basins of the Mesetian and Atlas domain: i) Essaoura-Haouz basin which separates the Jebilets from the High Atlas, ii) Bahira-Tadla basin which separates the Jebilets from the Rhamna. and iii) South Rifain Furrow.
3- Anti-Atlas domain and these Saharan borders:
It’s the southern part, closely linked to the West African Craton (CWA) in the South. To the north it is limited by the South Atlas Accident (A.S.A), this area is formed by a Proterozoic basement.
Southern Morocco geology trip 7 daysDay 1: Marrakech - Ouarzazate 265km.
After breakfast, we head towards Sidi Rahal mine rich in quartz chalcedonies, amethyst, agate, Lunch with the miner after lunch we drive through the Atlas Mountains Tichka pass and Telouet Valley to end in Ouarzazate. Dinner and overnight at the Riad. Day 2: Ouarzazate - Draa Valley - Alnif 235km. Today we head towards Draa valley nice landscapes stop at Beni Zoli Ordovician site rich in big parts of huge trilobites. Picnic on the site afternoon drive further to Serradrar visit Silurian site collect black Orthoceras. Dinner and overnight at a basic hotel in Alnif. Day 3: Alnif and surrounding. Morning departure from Alnif to visit the Cambrian site famous by its huge yellowish trilobites, picnic in the Oasis afternoon visit Ordovician site jebel Tiskaouine riche in calymenes and flexycalymenes. Evening back in the hotel. Day 4: Alnif - Merzouga 135km. After breakfast, we continue our tour to discover Isoumour famous trilobites post paradise. Where all species of Devonian trilobites lived together. Collect rolled phacops picnic on the site and head to Atchana site also Devonian. Dinner and overnight the Nomadic tents at the dunes of Merzouga. Day 5: Merzouga. Departure south towards Taouz visit the famous Kemkem site rich in fish crocodiles and spinosaurus bones and teeth. Then collect echinoderms in Boutariyt site. Picnic in the old mine of filon 12 famous by it s vanadinites quartz and goethite. Then visit Mifis old laid mine and back to the hotel in Merzouga. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel in Merzouga. Day 6: Merzouga - Dades Gorges - Ait Ben Haddou 390km. Departure towards Ouarzazate via Todra Gorges, Tinghir palm oasis, Dades gorges, and Skoura Kabahs, arrive in Ait Ben Haddou late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the Riad Day 7: Ait Ben Haddou - Marrakech 180km. Morning visit of the Kasbah to collect echinoderms and nautilus mycrasters, Afternoon drive back to Marrakech via Tichka pass. Arrival to Marrakech late evening, end of our services. |
Atlas & Sahara discovery trip 12 DaysMore details under request
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Morocco Geo Trip 15 Days
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