Geothermal gradients and heat flow trends in Morocco

Abstract

The paper presents a map of the main trends of heat flow density in Morocco. The average thermal gradients are also drawn for each major geological unit. The highest anomaly is observed in north-eastern Morocco, with a gradient of 30–40°C km −1 and a HFD of 70–110 mW m −2. In the south, the Atlantic margin presents a gradient of 23–34°C km −1 and a HFD of 65–85 mW m −2. The Saharan coastal basins show a gradient of 20–30°C km −1 and a HFD of 60–90 mW m −2, finally, in the Tindouf basin, the average gradient and HFD are, respectively, 20–34°C km −1 and 70–100 mW m −2. Two main axes of HFD anomaly may be identified on both sides of the South Atlasic fault. In the north a NE—SW axis extends from the Middle Atlas, Eastern Rif to the Alboran sea and SE Spain: this direction also corresponds to an intensive Plio-Quaternary volcanic and neotectonic activity. In the south an E—W thermal feature extending from the Canary Islands to Tindouf basin continues in the Algerian Southern Sahara.