Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 1
Geosites typology (modi
ed after Viette (
2007
))
Geosites
Including
S1
Palaeontological
All fossil objects of palaeontological and/or palaeoecological interest
S2
Mineralogical
All minerals and mineralization forms
S3
Petrological
All rock types
S4
Stratigraphical
All types of strata, sections and series
S5
Structural
All types of structures
S6
Geomorphological
All models, reliefs and their modes of alteration (including pedological)
E
Ecological
All biological and ecological geosites (lagoons, lakes, etc.)
T
Technical
All technical sites (history of the exploitation of geological resources)
Table 2
Described geosites of Doukkala-Abda region
Geosites
Geographic coordinates
Typology
Late Precambrian rhyolites of Sidi
Daoui
33
°
14
′
00
″
N
8
°
30
′
00
″
W
Petrological geosite (S3)
-
Sidi Sa
ï
dM
â
achou Basin
33
°
00
′
-
33
°
15
′
N, 8
°
00
′
-
8
°
15
′
W
Palaeontological, stratigraphical and petrological geosites
(S1-S3-S4)
Jbel Irhoud
Not provided, vulnerable geosites
Palaeontological, stratigraphical and technical geosites
(S1-S4-T)
Lalla Fatna escarpment
32
°
23
′
54, 15
″
N, 9
°
15
′
44, 54
″
W
Palaeontological and stratigraphical geosites (S1-S4)
Sidi Bouzid escarpment
32
°
18
′
01
″
N
9
°
15
′
04
″
W
-
Jorf Lasfar escarpment
33
°
09
′
24, 66
″
N
08
°
37
′
24, 74
″
W
Palaeontological, stratigraphical and structural geosites
(S1-S4-S5)
-
Consolidated and unconsolidated
dunes
Sahel of Doukkala region
Geomorphological geosites (S6)
El Goraan cave
32
°
33
′
27
″
N, 9
°
15
′
15
″
W
El Kh
é
nzira cave
33
°
09
′
24,64
″
N
-
08
°
37
′
23
″
W
Oualidia caves
32
°
40
′
42
″
-
32
°
47
′
07
″
,8
°
52
′
30
″
-
9
°
02
′
50
″
Oualidia Lagoon
32
°
40
′
42
″
-
32
°
47
′
07
″
,8
°
52
′
30
″
-
9
°
02
′
50
″
Ecological geosites (E)
32
°
52
′
0
″
,8
°
51
′
05
″
Sidi Moussa Lagoon
Zima Lake
32
°
04
'
48
″
N
-
08
°
39
'
36
″
W
Phosphate deposit of Ganntour
32
°
7
′
48
″
N
8
°
30
′
0
″
E Elevation
Technical geosite (T)
-
534 m
headland at Sidi Daoui, on the Atlantic coast of El Jadida. At
this locality, Neoproterozoic rhyolites are exposed in the core
of an anticline where they are overlain unconformably by
Early Cambrian dolomites (Fig.
3
). The correlation of these
volcanic outcrops with the late Neoproterozoic formations of
the Anti-Atlas (e.g. Ouarzazate Group, Thomas et al.
2002
),
dated at 543 Ma, is generally accepted (Choubert
1963
; Ez-
zouhairi et al.
2007
).
This outcrop provides a fascinating insight into the geo-
logical history of the region during the late Neoproterozoic
and merits protection. However, the geosite is vulnerable to
coastal erosion and weathering. Recently, a large part of the
outcrop was covered during the construction of the coastal
road between El Jadida town and Sidi Bouzid village.
Nevertheless, despite its vulnerability, the remarkable posi-
tion of this site enhances its tourist potential.
3.1.2 Sidi Saïd Mâachou Basin
The Sidi Sa
achou (SSM) basin is oriented NNW-SSE,
covering an area approximately 6 km in length and 4 km in
width. Located between two administrative regions, the
Doukkala-Abda and Chaouia-Ourdigha (Fig.
1
), it consists
of numerous stratigraphic, petrological and palaeontological
geosites rich in minerals and fossils. The basin is cut by the
Oum Er-Rbia River, which presents several geomorpho-
logical outcrops of educational value.
Geologically, the basin is comprised of sedimentary,
igneous and metamorphic rocks, re
ï
dM
â
ecting continental and
