High Atlas Research Articles

Extensional tectonics, structural architecture modeling and geodynamic evolution in the Cretaceous Tinghir-Errachidia-Boudenib basin (Pre-African Trough, Morocco)

Structural evolution of the Cretaceous Tinghir-Errachidia-Boudenib foreland basin in the south front of the Moroccan High Atlas belt is documented here. Fieldwork, lithostratigraphic and new structural analysis coupled with borehole and geoelectrical data identify two ENE-to NE-trending sub-basins in the large Cretaceous Tinghir-Errachidia-Boudenib (TEB) basin. One named Errachidia sub-basin is situated in the west and the other Boudenib sub-basin is located in the east. They are separated by a major NE-SW trending anticlinal, inherited from a paleohigh structure, where the thickening of the Cretaceous series increases towards the center of the sub-basins and in their northern borders with the central-eastern High Atlas. The Cretaceous series clearly show a considerable thickness variation, angular unconformities and lateral facies change that was related to the syn-sedimentary normal faulting activity. The Albian-Turonian period is characterized by the development of ENE- and NW-trending fault systems. These latter are linked to an extensional tectonics event responsible for half-graben basin geometry associated with significant sedimentary rates. This considerable thickness depocenters geometry is related to normal fault coupled with the intra-basin faults. The intensity of subsidence increases from south to north and from west to east, with a high rate in the Boudenib sub-Basin. The compressive Cenozoic events caused the inversion of these extensional faulting and the folding of the High Atlas area with ENE-trending structures.

New localities and lineages of the Atlas dwarf lizard Atlantolacerta andreanskyi identified using mitochondrial DNA markers

Atlantolacerta andreanskyi (Werner, 1929) is an endemic lizard from the High Atlas Mountains region of Morocco. A previous molecular assessment of this species using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers uncovered extensive genetic diversity with seven lineages indicative of a species complex. A morphological assessment of six of these lineages did not establish simple diagnostic features, and proposed these should be considered as a cryptic species, while highlighting the need for greater sampling across the range. In this study, we sampled 8 individuals from 5 previously unsampled localities and carried out genetic analyses to compare these populations to the known variation. Phylogenetic reconstruction based on mitochondrial DNA markers (12S rRNA and ND4) corroborates the previously described lineages and identified a new one. Interestingly, the two samples that account for this newly identified lineage have been collected from distinct localities – M’goun and Toumliline – that form a sister taxon to the population of Jbel Azourki.

Post-phosphogenesis processes and the natural beneficiation of phosphates: Geochemical evidence from the Moroccan High Atlas phosphate-rich sediments

The Upper Cretaceous-Paleogene sedimentary series of the High Atlas hosts underexplored phosphate-rich sediments and presents an excellent example of how complex interactions between various geological processes control the accumulation and distribution of phosphates. Genetically-linked phosphatic lithofacies from this series were investigated for their mineralogical and geochemical compositions with the purpose of assessing the impact of post-phosphogenesis sedimentary processes on the geochemical behavior of genetically-linked phosphatic lithofacies and understanding the distribution of chemical elements. Sampled phosphatic horizons from five representative sections along the Marrakesh High Atlas borders were investigated using optical and scanning electron microscopies (OM and SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) techniques. Results indicated that the studied lithofacies are composed of a mixture of phosphatic and non-phosphatic particles in variable proportions depending on the facies type. However, the phosphatic fraction is dominated by carbonate fluorapatite (CFA), showing an average CO32− content of 8.40 ± 0.37 wt%. Geochemical results revealed variations in the chemical composition of the different phosphate facies. Low-grade pristine phosphatic sediment (P2O5 < 12%wt.) can be turned by the effects of storms and bottom currents into high-grade granular phosphate beds containing up to 24 wt% P2O5. This natural enrichment is mirrored in the bulk rock by increasing P2O5 concentrations against decreasing detrital phase-associated chemical elements (K, Al, Si, and Ti). Among the investigated lithofacies, karst-filling phosphate show relatively lower uranium and cadmium contents as it experienced a polyphase evolution, including winnowing, submarine reworking, transport, and subaerial weathering, traced using some redox-sensitive proxies such as cerium and uranium. Despite this polyphase sedimentary differentiation, the apatite resisted chemical changes and preserved its original geochemical signature, specifically the rare earth elements signal that reflects oxic seawater conditions. However, the differentiation processes modified the bulk rock composition of phosphates through the preferential leaching of gangue phases (e.g., carbonates). Furthermore, these processes triggered the oxidation of organic matter and sulfides, removing some associated elements of environmental concern, such as uranium and cadmium. Conclusively, the combination of mechanical winnowing/reworking and subaerial chemical weathering is the most effective way of the natural beneficiation of phosphate, both economically and environmentally.

Assessment of GPM Satellite Precipitation Performance after Bias Correction, for Hydrological Modeling in a Semi-Arid Watershed (High Atlas Mountain, Morocco)

Due to its important spatiotemporal variability, accurate rainfall monitoring is one of the most difficult issues in semi-arid mountainous environments. Moreover, due to the inconsistent distribution of gauge measurement, the availability of precipitation data is not always secured and totally reliable at the instantaneous time step. As a result, earth observation of precipitation estimations could be an alternative for overcoming this restriction. The current study presents a framework for either the hydro-statistical evaluation and bias correction of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Integrated Multi-SatellitE Retrievals version 06 Early (IMERG-E), Late (IMERG-L), and Final (IMERG-F) products. On a sub-daily duration, from the Taferiat rain gauge-based station, which was used as a benchmark from 1 September 2014 to 31 August 2018. Statistical analysis was performed to examine each precipitation product’s performance. The results showed that all Post_Real_Time and Real_Time IMERG had a high level of awareness accuracy. The IMERG-L results were statistically similar to the gauge data, succeeded by the IMERG-F and IMERG-E. The Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF) has been employed to adjust the precipitation values of the three IMERG products in order to decrease bias estimation. The three products were then integrated into the “HEC-HMS” hydrological model to assess their dependability in flow modeling. Six flood occurrences were calibrated and validated for each product at 30-minute time steps. With a mean Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient of NSE 0.82, the calibration findings demonstrate that IMERG-F provides satisfactory hydrological performance. With an NSE = 0.80, IMERG-L displayed good hydrological utility, slightly better than IMERG-E with an NSE = 0.77. However, when the flood events were validated using the initial soil conditions, IMERG F and IMERG E overestimated the discharge by 13% and 10%, respectively. While IMERG L passed the validation phase with an average score of NSE = 0.69.

Taxonomy, Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry and Biological Activities of Thymus Saturejoides: A Review

Thymus saturejoides is an endemic species of the Lamiaceae family, native to Morocco and Algeria with a restricted distribution to the High Atlas, Middle Atlas, Anti-Atlas, Middle Atlantic Morocco, and the Saharan Atlas regions of Morocco, and the Aures Mountains in Algeria. This research focused on taxonomy, ethnobotany, chemical compounds, and biological and pharmacological actions of T. saturejoides. Folk medicine has documented continued use of this plant species. The review summarises the scientific literature and experimental research from the databases including Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar, ResearchGate, Academia.edu, PubMed, and PubFacts. Finally, we have provided a complete document on ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and biological properties fields of T. saturejoides.

The oldest Gondwanan record of the extinct durophagous hybodontiform chondrichthyan, Strophodus from the Bajocian of Morocco

Strophodus is a speciose and geographically widespread taxon of large durophagous hybodontiform chondrichthyan, with a stratigraphic range extending from Middle Triassic to the Early Cretaceous. Here, we describe a new species of Strophodus, S. atlasensis sp. nov., based on an incomplete articulated dentition recovered from marine Bajocian deposits of the eastern High Atlas Mountains in Morocco. The new species is diagnosed by a unique combination of dental characters that includes, among others, the presence of triangular first lateral teeth, mesio-distally wide and bulbous second lateral teeth without an occlusal crest or dome and uniquely shaped first posterior teeth that are shorter mesio-distally than being labio-lingually long, as well as small second posterior teeth whose roots protrude below the crowns to meet each other in an efficient interlocking manner. The holotype and only specimen of Strophodus atlasensis sp. nov. represents the hitherto oldest known record of Strophodus from Gondwana and the first record of that genus from the Bajocian, thus adding valuable novel information to our incomplete understanding of the evolutionary history of extinct hybodontiform chondrichthyans.

Quantification of water erosion using empirical models RUSLE and EPM in the Rheraya basin in the High Atlas of Marrakech

Soil loss caused by water erosion constitutes a major issue that generate environmental and other several problems. The objective of this work is to quantify and assess the risk of erosion in the region of the Rheraya basin3 and to estimate the rate of soil loss and to characterize the main criteria involved in the evolution of water erosion in the basin. The study revealed that the combined presence of streams, crossing easily eroded surfaces, slopes, as well as anthropogenic action, aggravated the phenomenon. The empirical RUSLE4 and EPM5 models combined with GIS and remote sensing6 were adopted to characterize this rate in the region. The RUSLE model evaluated the rate of soil loss produced by sheet erosion, based on the aggressiveness of the rain, soil erodibility, the vegetation cover, the length and the inclination of the slope as well as the anti-erosion practices in the basin. The "EPM" model estimated the rate of erosion and soil losses caused by water erosion in general. It is based on the mapping and the combination of six parameters which are: average temperature, average annual precipitation, slope, erosion state, land use and soil resistance to erosion. Results showed that the erosion rate using Rusle model varies between 0 and 188 t/ha/year with an average annual soil loss of 46, 85 t/ha/year. The results of the application of the EPM model showed that the average annual of soil loss is 103 t/ha/y with values extending between 0 and 200 t/ha/y. These results exposed that the areas upstream represent a very high risk of erosion, so they can surely aid to manage and reduce soil erosion in the High Atlas mountains.

Different species of Bradyrhizobium from symbiovars genistearum and retamae nodulate the endemic Retama dasycarpa in the High Atlas Mountains.

Retama dasycarpa is an endemic Retama species native to the cold semi-arid bioclimates of the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco. In this work, we analyzed the diversity of the microsymbionts nodulating this plant and their different phenotypic and symbiotic characteristics. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that the tested isolates clustered in the Bradyrhizobium genus. Multilocus sequence analyses of four housekeeping genes (recA, gyrB, glnII and atpD) for 12 selected strains grouped them into four clusters close to B. lupini USDA 3051T, B. frederickii CNPSo 3446T, B. valentinum LmjM3T and B. retamae Ro19T. The individual phylogenies of these core genes and the symbiotic genes nodC, nodA and nifH were congruent. These isolates showed a broad host range, being able to nodulate different legume hosts, such as R. sphaerocarpa, R. monosperma, Lupinus luteus, Cytisus grandiflorus andChamaecytisus albidus, but not Phaseolus vulgaris or Glycine max. They all had a similar metabolic capacity, using the majority of the carbohydrates and amino acids tested as sole sources of carbon and nitrogen. Furthermore, out of the 12 selected strains, some displayed plant growth-promoting features, with six of them solubilizing phosphate and three of them producing siderophores. The present work provides, for the first time, a detailed description about the microsymbionts associated with the endemic legume R. dasycarpa.

Radiation studies performed on the High Luminosity ATLAS TileCal link Daughterboard

The new electronics of the ATLAS Tile Calorimeter for the HL-LHC interfaces the on-detector and off-detector electronics by means of a Daughterboard. The Daughterboard is positioned on-detector featuring commercial SFPs+, CERN GBTx ASICs, ProASIC FPGAs and Kintex Ultrascale FPGAs. The design minimizes single points of failure and mitigates radiation damage by means of a double redundant scheme, Triple Mode Redundancy, Xilinx Soft Error Mitigation IP, CRC/FEC for link data transfer, and SEL protection circuitry. We present an updated summary of the TID, NIEL and SEE qualification tests, and performance studies of the Daughterboard revision 6 design.

Unsupervised Classification of Water Quality Using Artificial Intelligence: The Case of the Moulouya Wadi's Surface Waters (NE, Morocco)

Due to its cruciality, water requires a high care to its physicochemical and microbiological properties to ensure the quality of several utilizations. The particles it carries are likely to be ingested, breathed, or come into contact with the skin. For the classification of the quality of surface water in the Moulouya River (NE, Morocco), this study presents many unsupervised classification methods. The overall quality of surface water in the Moulouya River in northeast Morocco was assessed using nine physicochemical parameters (pH, T°C, EC, O2-diss, NH4+, NO3-, SO42-, PO43-, and biological oxygen demand after 5 days (BOD5)) from March to August 2014. Over a 600-kilometer stretch, twenty-two sites were examined, from the river's source in the High Atlas to its mouth in the Mediterranean. During the first stage, three quality classes (excellent, good and poor) were defined by the calculation of the water quality index (WQI) and water quality evaluation system (QES-Water). In the second stage, the K-means algorithm, the fuzzy C-means algorithm and the self-organizing maps (SOM) of Kohonen were applied to the nine physicochemical parameters used as input variables for the model. The classification method used is capable of projecting high-dimensional data into a lower dimension, typically 2D. This nonlinear projection can be useful in classes’ analysis and their discovery. In terms of performance, the SOM classification showed very close results compared to the K-means and the fuzzy C-means algorithms, with only an insignificant difference across the three models, with SOM maps having a slight advantage.

Machine-Learning-Based Downscaling of Hourly ERA5-Land Air Temperature over Mountainous Regions

In mountainous regions, the scarcity of air temperature (Ta) measurements is a major limitation for hydrological and crop monitoring. An alternative to in situ measurements could be to downscale the reanalysis Ta data provided at high-temporal resolution. However, the relatively coarse spatial resolution of these products (i.e., 9 km for ERA5-Land) is unlikely to be directly representative of actual local Ta patterns. To address this issue, this study presents a new spatial downscaling strategy of hourly ERA5-Land Ta data with a three-step procedure. First, the 9 km resolution ERA5 Ta is corrected at its original resolution by using a reference Ta derived from the elevation of the 9 km resolution grid and an in situ estimate over the area of the hourly Environmental Lapse Rate (ELR). Such a correction of 9 km resolution ERA5 Ta is trained using several machine learning techniques, including Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), Support Vector Regression (SVR), and Extreme Gradient Boosting (Xgboost), as well as ancillary ERA5 data (daily mean, standard deviation, hourly ELR, and grid elevation). Next, the trained correction algorithms are run to correct 9 km resolution ERA5 Ta, and the corrected ERA5 Ta data are used to derive an updated ELR over the area (without using in situ Ta measurements). Third, the updated hourly ELR is used to disaggregate 9 km resolution corrected ERA5 Ta data at the 30-meter resolution of SRTM’s Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The effectiveness of this method is assessed across the northern part of the High Atlas Mountains in central Morocco through (1) k-fold cross-validation against five years (2016 to 2020) of in situ hourly temperature readings and (2) comparison with classical downscaling methods based on a constant ELR. Our results indicate a significant enhancement in the spatial distribution of hourly local Ta. By comparing our model, which included Xgboost, SVR, and MLR, with the constant ELR-based downscaling approach, we were able to decrease the regional root mean square error from approximately 3 ∘C to 1.61 ∘C, 1.75 ∘C, and 1.8 ∘C, reduce the mean bias error from −0.5 ∘C to null, and increase the coefficient of determination from 0.88 to 0.97, 0.96, and 0.96 for Xgboost, SVR, and MLR, respectively.

Enhancing the Geological Heritage of the Errachidia Area in the High Atlas, Morocco: Inventory and a Proposal for a Pedagogic and Geotouristic Trail

Enhancing the Geological Heritage of the Errachidia Area in the High Atlas, Morocco: Inventory and a Proposal for a Pedagogic and Geotouristic Trail

Inventory and pattern of distribution of mayflies (Insecta, Ephemeroptera) in the Draa river basin, southern Morocco

The Draa river basin is located south of the High Atlas Mountain rangee in Morocco. The Ephemeroptera (mayflies) fauna of its three sub-basins: the High, Middle, and Lower Draa are poorly known. This study contributes to the knowledge of Ephemeroptera and its distribution in relation to environmental parameters in this area. The larvae of Ephemeropteran species were collected during six field campaigns in 17 sites using a Surber sampler. A total of thirteen species belonging to ten genera and five families were identified. among which seven taxa were recorded for the first time in the southern Atlas area: Baetis maurus, Baetis rhodani, Cheleocloeon dimorphicum, Cloeon simile, Procloeon stagnicola, Labiobaetis neglectus and Oligoneuriopsis skhounate. The limits of distribution of most species can be explained by the increase in water temperature and electrical conductivity especially at lower altitudes.

Limitations of NOAA Atlas 14 Rainfall Statistics in Florida

Several approximations are used in deriving the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Atlas 14 depth-duration-frequency (DDF) functions from annual maximum series (AMS) of rainfall amounts over various durations. Analyses reported in this paper show that the return periods in Atlas 14 DDF functions for Florida are likely overestimated at about 10% of the base stations for durations of 15 min, 1 h, and 24 h. This relatively high incidence of return-period overestimation is also evidenced by measurements at several stations having very high Atlas 14-estimated return periods. Comparison of the Atlas 14 generalized extreme value (GEV) distributions of rainfall with sample distributions derived from AMS data show agreement at only 68%, 64%, and 30% of all base stations for durations of 15 min, 1 h, and 24 h, respectively. It is concluded that the expected rainfall amounts for given durations are not always reliable over the Atlas 14 range of return periods.

Mapping and analysis of structural lineaments using SRTM radar data and Landsat-8 OLI image: an example from the Telouet–Tighza area, Marrakech High Atlas, Morocco

This study provides the first evaluation of the potential of both the Landsat-8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) sensor images and the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data for automated lineament extraction in the south side of the Marrakech High Atlas (Telouet–Tighza area). After image corrections, enhancement methods such as principal component analysis, band composite (BC), and directional filtering were adopted to create new images that provided high visibility of linear structures. The new Landsat BC image used in this study was selected based on the calculation of the optimum index factor and correlation index. In addition to the Landsat image, the SRTM DEM was used to detect structural lineaments in the area by generating shaded relief images. Multisource data, such as band ratio image, geological maps, and fieldwork, were used to eliminate the nongeological lineaments extracted. The results indicate that an automated method was applied successfully for lineament mapping in this area, by detailing the main tectonic faults. Moreover, new lineaments are identified and are validated by fieldwork. Structural lineaments extracted show compatibility in their direction, length, distribution, and density with the tectonic evolution of the study area. A total of 2945 lineaments were extracted with major ENE–WSW and predominant E–W directions. The new structural map shows more structural information compared with the geological map of this area and exemplifies the performance of Landsat-8 OLI bands and SRTM data in this kind of study.

Vegetation Cover Dynamics in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco

Since the 1990s, Morocco’s agriculture has been characterized by the co-existence and transformation of both modern and traditional smallholder systems. In the Atlas Mountains, the effects of rural–urban transformation have led to intensified irrigated agriculture in some agricultural areas, while others were abandoned. To better understand these effects, this study aimed at (1) analyzing the land use and land cover (LULC) changes, (2) assessing the structure and dynamics of vegetation, and (3) comparing a Support Vector Machine (SVM) classification approach with a seasonal rules-based approach. We, therefore, employed a semi-automatic supervised classification of LULC using Landsat data from the 1990s to the 2020s to distinguish between Open Canopy Vegetation, Bareland, Forest, and Water. Overall accuracies achieved ranged from 88% to 90% in 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020. SVM results indicated the share of Bareland as &gt;80% of the landscape in all periods. With the seasonal rules-based approach, 10% less Bareland was detected than with the SVM approach. Our findings indicate the limitation of detecting vegetation reflectance in semi-arid mountainous regions such as that prevailing in Morocco using a single machine learning method.

Identifying local vs. regional drainage using multiproxy provenance tracers – Tracking the Moroccan Late Triassic fluvial system

The Kerrouchen Basin is an understudied rift basin in the Middle Atlas of Morocco, where over 600 m of Triassic stratigraphy is well exposed. It was partially inverted during the Atlasic orogeny whilst preserving the original basin geometry. Within the Kerrouchen Basin, two distinct fluvial systems are present. The first, recorded by the K3 Formation, is a braided-meandering fluvial system showing vertical and lateral amalgamation. The K3 is an axial fluvial system that shows a predominant drainage direction towards the north-north-east, parallel to the rift zone axis, ultimately draining towards the Tethys Ocean. The K4 Formation records a secondary, Tributary Fluvial System (TFS), with facies spanning a range of alluvial-fluvial processes. Paleoflows predominantly record drainage to the SSW, transverse to the basin axis.Heavy mineral and petrographic analysis of the two fluvial systems indicates two distinct sedimentary provenances for the depositional system. The K3 system records a higher proportion of sediment sourced from igneous rocks. In contrast, the K4 system records a local provenance signal derived from adjacent low-medium grade metamorphic terranes exposed to the east. Comparison of the provenance and stratigraphic trends within the Kerrouchen Basin with work undertaken in the Central and Western High Atlas suggests a shared source region for the through going axial fluvial systems recorded in the High Atlas and Kerrouchen basins. Our study provides evidence for a linked fluvial system spanning the High and Middle Atlas rifts during the Triassic, indicating that a regional fluvial system was present within Central Pangea from Middle-Late Triassic times. Identifying regional and local drainage networks within the Triassic rift basins has key implications for paleogeographic reconstructions and future exploration efforts for hydrocarbons and CCS sites within Morocco.

Fluid evolution and origin of the Tamazert fluorite deposits, Moroccan High Atlas

This study focuses on the origin of fluorite ore deposits that are associated with the Eocene alkaline igneous suite of the Tamazert complex in the Moroccan High Atlas. Based on field observations and mineralogy, two major ore styles were identified: 1) a disseminated purple fluorite in aegirine-rich nepheline syenites (stage 1) and 2) a banded purple-white fluorite ore in karstic cavities and veins hosted in the Jurassic carbonate (stage 2). Both fluorite mineralization stages are commonly accompanied by calcite. The distribution of fluorite deposits at the peripheries of syenite and the surrounding Jurassic carbonates suggests the development of long-lived hydrologic systems around the shallow intrusion. Based on fluid inclusion, Rare Earth Elements and Yttrium (REY), and C–O isotopic constraints, this study reveals that different fluid systems were responsible for the deposition of fluorite ores in and around the Tamazert alkaline igneous complex. The disseminated interstitial fluorite precipitated from a F-rich magmatic-hydrothermal fluid, which exsolved from the highly evolved alkaline-silicate melt and was subsequently altered by Na–Ca metasomatic brines. Vein-type fluorite deposits hosted in the Jurassic carbonates precipitated from low salinity (1.6–8.5 wt% NaCl equiv.) and heated (Th = 118–157 °C) meteoric fluids, which migrated in response to the heat flow around the shallow intrusion. Fluid cooling, fluid interaction with Jurassic carbonates, and pressure fluctuations were the most important fluorite deposition mechanisms. The evolved melt provided F and REY for the interstitial fluorites, whereas meteoric fluids leached F− from syenites and other F-bearing igneous rocks. Based on the fractionation pattern, the REY inventory of the vein fluorites was acquired by interaction of meteoric fluids with Jurassic carbonates.

Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants Uses in the Treatment of Female Infertility at the High Atlas Central of Morocco

Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants Uses in the Treatment of Female Infertility at the High Atlas Central of Morocco

Surface Uplift and Topographic Rejuvenation of a Tectonically Inactive Range: Insights From the Anti‐Atlas and the Siroua Massif (Morocco)

AbstractThe Atlas‐Meseta intracontinental orographic system of Morocco experienced recent, large‐scale surface uplift as documented by elevated late Miocene, shallow‐water marine deposits exposed in the Middle Atlas Mountains. The Anti‐Atlas Mountains do not present any stratigraphic records that document regional vertical movements, however, the presence of a high‐standing, erosional surface, and the transient state of the river network, provides insights into the uplift history of the belt and the mechanisms that drove it. Here, we combine geomorphic and stream profiles analyses, celerity of knickpoints and linear inverse landscape modeling with available geological evidence, to decipher the spatial and temporal variations of surface uplift in the Anti‐Atlas and the Siroua Massif. Our results highlight the presence of a transient landscape and document a long wave‐length topographic swell (∼100 × 600 km) with a maximum surface uplift of ∼1,500 m in the Siroua Massif and ∼1,100 m in the central Anti‐Atlas most likely starting from ∼14 to 10 Ma. Surface uplift occurred in association with the onset of late Miocene magmatism in the Siroua and Saghro Massif and contractional deformation in the High Atlas. Regional surface uplift was most likely due to deep‐seated mechanism, such as asthenospheric upwelling. Additional processes such as magma injection and faulting contributed to the surface uplift of the Siroua Massif. Overall, our approach allows to quantitatively constrain the transient state of the landscape and the contribution of regional surface uplift on mountain building processes.