Structural and sedimentologic relations between the High and the Middle Atlas of Morocco during the Jurassic time

Abstract

The cartographic, sedimentologic and stratigraphic studies carried out on the Mesozoic deposits in the border zone between the Middle and the High Moroccan Atlas (regions of Naour and Aghbala) led us to specify the lithology of formations, the significant differences of thickness and the angular unconformities as well as stratigraphic hiatuses. All of this indicates a tectonic regime of transcurrent faults from the Bajocian–Bathonian period along the major fault zone “Aghbala–Afourer” in a N70° direction. A sinistral strike-slip movement along this major fault zone induced the development of folded and fractured zones in a N120° direction, which limited a small trough filled by the red continental formations. The whole system is covered thereafter by lower Cretaceous deposits.