A structural transect through the High and Middle Atlas of Morocco

Arboleya, María Luisa; Teixell, Antonio; Charroud, Mohammed; Julivert, Manuel

doi:10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2004.07.036

Cited by 138 publications

(138 citation statements)

References 33 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

128

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…All these geological trends are seen on the electrical sections. These two tectonic phases were previously described in Morocco and belong to a main lower Triassic event [16][17][18][19].…”

Section: Interpretations and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 56%

Geoelectrical Tomography Investigating and Modeling of Fractures Network around Bittit Spring (Middle Atlas, Morocco)

Qarqori

Rouai

Moreau

et al. 2012

International Journal of Geophysics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Direct current Resistivity (DCR) method was carried out to characterize the hydrogeological connection between the Tabular Middle Atlas (TMA) and the Saïs Basin. The TMA is one of the most important aquifers in northern Morocco that supplies the deep aquifer of the Saïs Basin. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) survey was focused on the Bittit area that is one of the most important outlet discharges, and it is representative of the relations between the TMA and the Saïs Basin. The high resolution capabilities of the electrical tomography were used to define the geological draining features in the framework of water paths from the TMA to the karstic springs. The synthetic data were calculated for the similar model expected in field data inversion and inversion result of these synthetic data used as a guide for the interpretation of the inverse data resistivity sections. Joint interpretation of geophysical, geological, structural, and synthetic simulation data allowed identifying a conductive horizontal shallow layer overlying two subvertical families of fractures of NE-SW and NW-SE directions. This result leads to propose hydrological behaviour of water from the Tabular Middle Atlas and the Saïs Basin at the Bittit Spring, which takes into account for both horizontal flows through stratification joints or karst and through subvertical fractures.

show abstract

“…All these geological trends are seen on the electrical sections. These two tectonic phases were previously described in Morocco and belong to a main lower Triassic event [16][17][18][19].…”

Section: Interpretations and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 56%

Geoelectrical Tomography Investigating and Modeling of Fractures Network around Bittit Spring (Middle Atlas, Morocco)

Qarqori

Rouai

Moreau

et al. 2012

International Journal of Geophysics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The Middle Atlas range is an intracontinental fold-thrust belt that extends for around 250 km in northern Morocco along a primarily SW-NE alignment (Arboleya et al, 2004) and reaches elevations in excess of 3,300 m.a.s.l. in the eastern sector.…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental Drivers of Holocene Forest Development in the Middle Atlas, Morocco

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…In Morocco, the Atlas Mountains include, from north to south, the Middle Atlas (Djebel Bou Naceur, 3340 m), the High Atlas (Djebel Toubkal, 4167 m) and the Anti-Atlas (Djebel Sirwa, 3304 m). The High and Middle Atlas are intracontinental fold-thrust belts located in the foreland of the Rif (Arboleya et al, 2004). The three major massifs in the High Atlas are, from west to east, the Djebel Toubkal massif, the Irhil M'Goun massif (4071 m) and the Djebel Ayachi (3751 m).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

New observations indicate the possible presence of permafrost in North Africa (Djebel Toubkal, High Atlas, Morocco)

2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Relict and present-day periglacial features have been reported in the literature for the upper reaches of the High Atlas mountains, which is the highest range in North Africa (Djebel Toubkal -4167 m a.s.l.). A lobate feature in the Irhzer Ikhibi south at 3800 m a.s.l. has been previously interpreted as an active rock glacier, but no measurements of ground or air temperatures are known to exist for the area. In order to assess the possible presence of permafrost, we analyse data from June 2015 to June 2016 from two air temperature measurement sites at 2370 and 3210 m a.s.l. and from four ground surface temperature (GST) sites at 3220, 3815, 3980 and 4160 m a.s.l. to characterize conditions along an altitudinal gradient along the Oued Ihghyghaye valley to the summit of the Djebel Toubkal. GSTs were collected at 1 h intervals, and the presence of snow cover at the monitoring sites was validated using Landsat 8 and Sentinel-2 imagery. Two field visits allowed for logger installation and collection and for assessing the geomorphological features in the area. The results show that snow plays a major role on the thermal regime of the shallow ground, inducing important spatial variability. The lowest site at 3220 m had a thermal regime characterized by frequent freeze-thaw cycles during the cold season but with few days of snow. When snow settled, the ground surface remained isothermal at 0 • C , indicating the absence of permafrost. The highest sites at 3980 and 4160 m a.s.l. showed very frequent freeze-thaw cycles and a small influence of the snow cover on GST, reflecting the lack of snow accumulation due to the wind-exposed settings on a ridge and on the summit plateau. The site located at 3815 m in the Irhzer Ikhibi south valley had a cold, stable thermal regime with GST varying from −4.5 to −6 • C from December to March, under a continuous snow cover.The site's location in a concave setting favours wind-driven snow accumulation and lower incoming solar radiation due to the shading effect of a ridge, inducing the conservation of a thick snow pack. The stable and low GSTs are interpreted as a strong indicator of the probable presence of permafrost at this site, which is an interpretation supported by the presence of lobate and arcuate features in the talus deposits. We present first results and further observations using geophysics, and borehole measurements are foreseen. This is the first time that probable permafrost has been reported from temperature observations in the mountains of North Africa.

show abstract

A structural transect through the High and Middle Atlas of Morocco

Cited by 138 publications

References 33 publications

Geoelectrical Tomography Investigating and Modeling of Fractures Network around Bittit Spring (Middle Atlas, Morocco)

Geoelectrical Tomography Investigating and Modeling of Fractures Network around Bittit Spring (Middle Atlas, Morocco)

Environmental Drivers of Holocene Forest Development in the Middle Atlas, Morocco

New observations indicate the possible presence of permafrost in North Africa (Djebel Toubkal, High Atlas, Morocco)

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About