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-A new lithostratigraphic nomenclatural framework is proposed for the Anti-AtlasOrogen of Morocco, to replace the previous chronostratigraphic scheme. All Continued prolonged convergence gave rise to a sinistral transpressional regime in which late syn-to post-tectonic continental volcanic and clastic sequences of the Ouarzazate Supergroup were deposited. The first rocks of this new tectonic regime were deposited in narrow, tectonically active, strike-slip pull-apart rift basins (Bou Salda, Mgouna, Tafrawt and Anzi Groups), associated with intrusion of high-K calc-alkaline granitoid batholiths (e.g. Assarag, Bardouz Suites) and the juxtaposition of ophiolitic remnants in major strike-slip shear belts. These were followed by the deposition of the much more areally extensive continental volcano-sedimentary molasse, the volcanic components of which were erupted from several interfingering volcanic centres, often associated with caldera complexes and sub-volcanic alkaline granites 2 (Toufhgrane, Tanghourt and Guellaba Suites). The proposed lithostratigraphic scheme encompasses all the major rock units identified in the literature from the orogen and is flexible so that new, lower-ranking, units can be placed at the appropriate stratigraphic level in future. This framework is supported by new high-precision U-Pb zircon dates that have recently become available.

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SUM MARY: The Pan-African Trans-Saharan belt in the Iforas displays a rapid switch from subduction and collision-related calc-alkaline to typical A-type magmatism, which is accompanied by transcurrent movements along major shear zones inducing weak distension. Detailed Rb-Sr geochronology and geochemical data point to different mantle sources for orogenic (lithospheric depleted mantle + oceanic crust) and within-plate magmatism (more primitive asthenospheric mantle). Both groups suffer lower-crustal contamination. A model is proposed whereby asthenospheric mantle originally underlying the subducted plate has risen to shallow depth beneath the continental lithosphere after the rupture of the cold plunging plate. This source, which is often proposed for alkaline rocks, explains the great similarity of oversaturated alkaline ring-complexes whatever their environment. The peculiarities of the alkaline province, for example the lack of Sn mineralization when compared with the Niger-Nigerian province, may be related to the nature and composition of the basement.

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