Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
number of key geosites that exhibit lithological and
structural features within the Precambrian inlier, and its
relationship of to the surrounding geology (Fig. 10 a
-
d).
(3) The third candidate area focuses on the end-Cretaceous
and lower-Paleogene marine phosphates deposits, which
are globally known by their fossil richness representing
several vertebrate groups (Noubhani this volume). Apart
from the Selachians
shes (sharks and rays), whose
teeth are collected by millions, several groups are pres-
ent; these deposits comprise: (i) Well represented rep-
tiles with approximately 50 species divided between
turtles, squamates (snakes, Rage and Wouters 1979 ),
crocodiles (Arambourg 1952 ; Jouve 2004 ; Jouve et al.
2005 ), sauropods (Pereda Suberbiola et al. 2004 ), ple-
siosaurs and elasmosaurs (Vincent et al. 2011 ), mosa-
saurs (Bardet et al. 2004 , 2005 ), and pterosaurs (Pereda
Suberbiola et al. 2003 ); (ii) Birds with
'
ve species that
may be the oldest modern seabirds in Africa (Bourdon
2006 , 2011 ), and (iii) Mammals with about ten species
belonging to the orders of Proboscideans, Hyaenodont-
ids, Hyracoids and Condylarths, which might be among
the oldest placental mammals of Africa and the oldest
modern ungulates known in the world.
The collections made by the cooperative excavations
'
work of the local populations, will be exhibited in the
planned
. Together with the
natural beauty of the landscape, including geological sec-
tions presenting a panoramic view of the lithology and the
stratigraphy of the phosphate series.
To promote and preserve a part of its geoheritage, Morocco
is creating geological museums. The
Museum of Paleontology
rst one was launched in
2013 at the University of Fez. Two other museums are in
progress, one focused on Dinosaurs in Tazouda (southern
Morocco) and the other in Mgoun Geopark.
3.2
Algeria
In Algeria, the geoheritage is theoretically protected by
legislation related to various areas (environment, urban
planning, rural development, coastal protection), and as a
component of the natural heritage (Bouzidi and Rabhi 2011 ).
Several national parks support a remarkable wealth of geo-
logical sites (Fig. 11 a - c), including biodiversity and
archaeology such as Hoggar, Tassili and Taza which consist
of structures for which the primary mission is to ensure their
preservation (e.g., Ahaggar National Park Of
ce and Tassili
National Park Of
ce) (Fig. 11 a
-
c). Some sites were classi-
ed, by order of the Minister of Energy and Mines, solely
because of their geological heritage, such as the bio-clastic
limestone slab known as the Great Wall of China that
Fig. 7 continued
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