Signification de la limite Jebha-Arbaoua (Maroc nord-occidental): une rampe latérale au-dessus dúne discontinuité crustale héritée de la période de “rifting”

Abstract

The terranes which outcrop to the north and south of the westward extension of the Jebha Fault show considerable differences in their nature and structural organisation. The pre-Oligocene basement is composed of synorogenic synclines filled with detrital deposits. In the North, the synclinal troughs are oriented North-South and filled with siliciclastic material. The synclinal structures on top of the western extension of the Jebha Fault are orientated N 140° and are also filled with the same material. South of this westward extension of the Jebha Fault, the orientation of the synclinal structures is north-south; they are filled with bioclastic calcareous material. The synorogenic synclines, situated on top of the Jebha-Arbaoua limit show characteristics of the detached sedimentary cover by their position and orientation. This cover formed the Arbaoua-Jebha lateral ramp during its movement towards the west. Developement of this ramp is explained by the crustal discontinuity inherited from the period of rifting. The resulting palaeomorphological relief allows the difference between the zones situated at each part of the limit to be understood, in particular, it permits the understanding of the differences in the detrital material, in its role as a barrier opposing the arrival of bioclastic calcareous material from the African margin (situated southwards of the limit). The Arbaoua-Jebha lateral ramp appears as a major and original feature of the Rift chain.