Boletín de la Sociedad Geológica Mexicana Volumen 74, núm. 1, A101121, 2022 http://dx.doi.org/10.18268/BSGM2022v74n1a101121

Upper Cretaceous deposits on the Northern side of the High Atlas Range of Marrakesh (Morocco): tectonics, sequence stratigraphy and paleogeographic evolution

Depósitos del Cretácico Superior en el flanco norte de la Cordillera del Alto Atlas de Marrakech (Marruecos): tectónica, estratigrafía secuencial y evolución paleogeográfica

Ahmed Algouti¹, Abdellah Algouti¹, Fatiha Hadach¹, Abdelouhed Farah^1,*, Ali Aydda²

¹ University of Cadi Ayyad, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Department of Geology, Geoscience Geotourism Natural Hazards and Remote Sensing Laboratory (2 GRNT), BP 2390, 40000, Marrakesh, Morocco.

² University of Ibn Zohr, Faculty of Sciences Agadir, Department of Geology, B.P 8106, 80000, Agadir, Morocco.

* Corresponding author: (A. Farah) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

How to cite this article:

Algouti, A., Algouti, A., Hadach, F., Farah, A., Aydda, A., 2022, Upper Cretaceous deposits on the Northern side of the High Atlas Range of Marrakesh (Morocco): tectonics, sequence stratigraphy and paleogeographic evolution: Boletín de la Sociedad Geológica Mexicana, 74 (1), A101121. http://dx.doi.org/10.18268/BSGM2022v74n1a101121

ABSTRACT

This paper presents a new interpretation of the paleogeographic evolution of the northern side of the High Atlas Range of Marrakesh (Morocco) based on a tectonic, lithological, sedimentological, and paleontological description of the three outcropping Upper Cretaceous Formations: The Anou-Nfeg Formation, the Aït Abbes Formation, and the Chichaoua Formation. In biostratigraphical terms, these formations areas signed to the Coniacian, Santonian, and Maastrichtian, respectively, and record three tectonic phases responsible for the geodynamic evolution of this part of the High Atlas Range. These phases are confirmed by the vertical elevation of the earth’s surface and the formation of some small restricted basins. A sedimentary pause corresponding to the Campanian has been recorded. Based on these findings, we conclude that these Formations were deposited in a confined environment influenced by the episodic marine incursions under a hot and humid climate.

Keywords: Sequence stratigraphy, paleogeographic evolution, Upper Cretaceous, High Atlas of Marrakesh, Morocco.