Triassic stratigraphy and structural evolution of a rift basin: the Eç Çour basin, High atlas of Marrakech, Morocco

Arabi, El Hassane El; Ferrandini, Jean; Essamoud, Rachid

doi:10.1016/s0899-5362(03)00020-4

Cited by 28 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Several studies conducted in similar Triassic basins in the High Atlas of Morocco, such as the Ec Cour Basin, show structural trends that are similar to those described from the Oukaimeden-Ourika Basin. It has been suggested that the Ec Cour Basin opened with pure extensional strain on two main fault sets oriented NE and NNE, which were probably inherited from pre-existing Hercynian structures (El Arabi et al 2003). We have not seen any evidence of the influence of deep-rooted structures on the NE to NNE striking faults in the Oukaimeden-Ourika Basin.…”

Section: Structural Evolution and The Geodynamic Setting During The Lcontrasting

confidence: 49%

“…Together these observations would suggest that the faults do not detach within the Triassic and that the NE to ENE faults are deep-rooted into the basement. It is possible that the major faults reactivated preexisting Hercynian structures, as has been previously suggested for major structures with a similar orientation in Triassic basins in Morocco (Laville and Pique 1991;El Arabi et al 2003).…”

Section: Ne-sw To Ene-wsw Striking Faultsmentioning

confidence: 65%

“…In the late Triassic, the High Atlas developed as an elongated NE to ENE striking rift-basin and the geodynamic evolution of this main syn-rift phase has been explained by the dual influence of Atlantic rifting to the west and formation of the Tethys Sea to the north (Figure 1a) (Ellouz et al 2003;El Harfi et al 2006). Syn-tectonic fill of the basins (Biron and Courtinat 1982;Beauchamp 1988) with siliciclastic continental sediments (El Arabi et al 2003) was followed by the extrusion of widespread basalt flows attributed to the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP) event (Olsen et al 2003).…”

Section: Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Structural style and evolution of a Late Triassic rift basin in the Central High Atlas, Morocco: controls on sediment deposition

2009

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Late Triassic continental sediments deposited in an active-rift setting are exposed in the Oukaimeden-Ourika Valley, located in the Central High Atlas Basin of Morocco. The Oukaimeden Sandstone Formation is dominated by ephemeral and perennial braided fluvial facies, and is an outcrop analogue for Triassic sandstone hydrocarbon reservoirs found in Atlantic margin and North African basins. This paper documents detailed analysis of the outcrop data to investigate the influence of tectonics on deposition and the interplay with climatic controls. The geodynamic evolution of the basin is interpreted to be influenced by Atlantic rifting to the west and the formation of the Tethys Sea to the north, which led to the development of ENE and NNE striking normal faults. The present-day fault and outcrop geometry reflects later inversion due to the Alpine compression that led to uplift of the High Atlas and subsequent erosion.The ENE trending rift-basin is bound by normal faults, which are probably in part reactivated older Hercynian structures. The facies distribution was controlled by a complex interplay of tectonic and climatic controls. Evidence for syn-sedimentary movement of both fault sets is observed, with stratigraphic thickening and associated progressive change in bedding dip. These faults controlled the basin dimension, geometry of the half-graben and created the accommodation for sediment deposition. The presence of breccia deposits close to the main ENE bounding faults indicates footwall erosion and deposition of basin margin fans. The location and orientation of the main fluvial system was controlled by these structures, and the main channel belts ran parallel and proximal to the controlling faults, whereas away from the main syn-depositional faults overbank deposits dominate. Smaller contemporaneous NNE oriented faults are generally shorter with less throw, and had only a limited influence on gross sedimentation patterns. These faults are interpreted to be syn-sedimentary, displaying characteristics that suggest basal detachment within the Triassic, and as such provide evidence for the extension direction during late Triassic time. A periodic change from ephemeral to perennial systems, with associated changes in architectural style, is potentially attributed to climatic control, although a structural influence cannot be dismissed.

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Section: Structural Evolution and The Geodynamic Setting During The Lcontrasting

confidence: 49%

Section: Ne-sw To Ene-wsw Striking Faultsmentioning

confidence: 65%

Section: Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Structural style and evolution of a Late Triassic rift basin in the Central High Atlas, Morocco: controls on sediment deposition

2009

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“…The main references are Petit & Beauchamp (1986), Benaouiss et al (1996), Jalil (1999, Oujidi & Elmi (2000), , Ouarhache et al (2000), Tourani et al (2000), El Arabi E.H. et al (2003, 2006a,b), and El Arabi E.H. (2007. Concerning the associated basalt flows, the most recent and general references are Youbi et al (2003), Knight et al (2004), Marzoli et al (2004), Verati et al (2007), and Nomade et al (2007).…”

Section: The Earliest Rifting From Permian To Early Sinemurianmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Atlas System

Lamotte

Zizi

Missenard

et al.

Lecture Notes in Earth Sciences

118

114

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“…The Triassic-Liassic rifting events are linked to the opening of the Neo-Tethys and Atlantic oceans (Medina et al, 1991;Le Roy et al, 1997;Hafid et al, 2006;El Arabi et al, 2003;El Arabi et al, 2006;El Arabi, 2007). In Morocco, the basins are filled by Triassic red coarse clastic sediments, interbedded with evaporitic levels and basaltic flows.…”

Section: Geological Setting 21 High Atlas-south Atlas Frontmentioning

confidence: 99%

The three main steps of the Marrakech High Atlas building in Morocco: Structural evidences from the southern foreland, Imini area

Leprêtre

Missenard

Saint-Bézar

et al. 2015

Journal of African Earth Sciences

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Triassic stratigraphy and structural evolution of a rift basin: the Eç Çour basin, High atlas of Marrakech, Morocco

Cited by 28 publications

References 8 publications

Structural style and evolution of a Late Triassic rift basin in the Central High Atlas, Morocco: controls on sediment deposition

Structural style and evolution of a Late Triassic rift basin in the Central High Atlas, Morocco: controls on sediment deposition

The Atlas System

The three main steps of the Marrakech High Atlas building in Morocco: Structural evidences from the southern foreland, Imini area

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