Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
1
Introduction
Morocco is particularly ideal to discovering geology in the
eld due to the great variety of outcropping geological
systems, its deeply-incised relief (Fig.
1
) and its relatively
arid climate. Some Moroccan geosites have been de
ned as
Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP), such
as the Tortonian-Messinian boundary next to the capital city
Rabat (Tahiri et al.
2011
) and the Eifelian-Givetian bound-
ary south of Rissani (Walliser et al.
1995
; Feist and Orth
2000
). However, the inventory of the Moroccan geoheritage
is still in its early stages, despite localized endeavours (Piqu
é
and Bouabdelli
2000
; Ouanaimi et al.
2005
; Piqu
and
Soulaimani
2006
; Tahiri et al.
2010
; El Hadi et al.
2011
;
Nahraoui et al.
2011
; Errami et al.
2012
). In the present
paper, we focus on the south-westernmost regions of Mor-
occo, extending from Tan-Tan, 300 km south of Agadir, up
to Dakhla on the Tropic of Cancer along the Atlantic Coast
(Fig.
2
). Most of these regions were occupied by Spain for a
long time (Rio de Oro) and have been progressively opened
to modern geological studies and mapping only a few dec-
ades ago (e.g., Hollard et al.
1985
; Rjimati and Zemmouri
é
Fig. 2
Structural domains of Southern Morocco (Google Earth image),
with location of the proposed geoheritage trails
“
A
”
and
“
B
”
2002
). From a geological point of view, they are of out-
standing interest as they expose the Archaean formations of
the West African Craton (WAC), the nappes and folded
Palaeozoic belts emplaced on the WAC border during the
Variscan collision, and the internal part of the Mesozoic-
Cenozoic Atlantic passive margin (Rjimati et al.
2011a
).
Our work concentrates on the most remarkable sites and
transects that should be regarded as protected geosites or
geotrails representative of this fascinating region where the
Sahara Desert meets the Atlantic Ocean. We emphasize the
didactic, scienti
c and geotouristic values of the selected
trails with the aim to promote the conservation of the most
exposed geosites and the enhancement of their visibility and
accessibility. Our contribution aims to persuade the local
authorities responsible for land management about the
importance of the geoheritage of these southern Provinces
for local sustainable development. This is in line with the El
Jadida Declaration (Errami et al.
2012
) aiming to promote
African geoheritage policies, as well as with the goal of the
Ministry of Energy and Mines of Morocco to place the
national geological heritage under the protection of law.
Fig. 1
Main geological domains ofMorocco plotted on an elevationmap
(GTOPO database), with location of the studied geoheritage area (Fig.
2
).
Six domains are distinguished:
I
Rif belt;
II
Atlas-Meseta domain;
III
Anti-Atlas domain;
IV
NorthernMauritanide belt;
V
West AfricanCraton;
VI
Atlantic margin and Coastal Basins. State borders are indicative
