Sedimentology of an intra-montane rift-controlled fluvial dominated succession: The Upper Triassic Oukaimeden Sandstone Formation, Central High Atlas, Morocco

Fabuel-Perez, I.; Redfern, Jonathan; Hodgetts, David

doi:10.1016/j.sedgeo.2009.04.006

Cited by 45 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…The Oukaimeden Sandstone Formation (F5) overlies Formation F4 with a sharp contact in the northern part of the study area and a more gradational contact to the south, (Fabuel-Perez et al 2009) Although earlier workers suggested a fluvio-deltaic environment (Biron and Courtinat 1982;Petit and Beauchamp 1986;Benaouiss et al 1996), a revised sedimentological interpretation proposes deposition in ephemeral to perennial braided fluvial systems characterized by a preferred palaeocurrent orientation towards the NE (FabuelPerez et al 2009). Intervals of alluvial fan conglomerates alternate with the fluvial sandstone facies on the northern margin of the study area.…”

Section: Stratigraphy and Depositional Environmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…126 m thick in the north, closer to the fault in Andrar-n-Tizrag (cf. Fabuel-Perez et al 2009). The general increase in thickness and divergent geometry of Triassic beds towards the Sidi-Fars Fault can be seen on the NW-SE crosssection across the Ourika Valley (Figure 7b).…”

Section: Ne-sw To Ene-wsw Striking Faultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Within this section, the Oukaimeden Sandstone Formation is dominated by the deposition of ephemeral and perennial braided fluvial systems (Fabuel-Perez et al 2009) and offers a potential analogue for prolific Triassic sandstone reservoirs within similar rift settings along the Atlantic Margin and across North Africa. These rift basins formed in response to extensional tectonics associated with the break-up of Pangea, attributed to the opening of the Atlantic Ocean and Neo-Tethys Sea (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Reactivation and inversion of the riftgraben due to Alpine compression led to uplift of the High Atlas, resulting in subsequent erosion and exposure of the Upper Triassic continental rocks. The Oukaimeden Sandstone Formation has recently been the subject of a study providing details on the sedimentology and architectural style (Fabuel-Perez et al 2009), and these outcrops in the Oukaimeden-Ourika Valley provide excellent exposures to investigate the relative roles played by tectonics and climate on continental sediment deposition.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Petit and Beauchamp 1986;Beauchamp 1988) or detailed sedimentology and stratigraphy of specific formations (e.g. Benaouiss et al 1996;Mader 2005;Fabuel-Perez et al 2009). This paper presents a study of the structural evolution of the Oukaimeden-Ourika Basin and integrates local basin kinematics to the regional geodynamic context of western Morocco during the Triassic.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

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: Stratigraphy and Depositional Environmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Ne-sw To Ene-wsw Striking Faultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

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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Magnitude of rift‐related burial and orogenic contraction in the Marrakech High Atlas revealed by zircon (U‐Th)/He thermochronology and thermal modeling

2016

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The Atlas of Morocco is a continental rift developed during the Triassic‐Jurassic and moderately inverted during the Cenozoic. The High Atlas south of Marrakech, with exposures of basement and Triassic early synrift deposits, has been viewed as a high during the Mesozoic rifting. First zircon (U‐Th)/He ages and thermal models obtained from 42 samples in the Marrakech High Atlas following two NNW‐SSE transects across the mountain belt reveal that in contrast to previous models, the Triassic‐Jurassic rift was well developed in the Marrakech High Atlas (with more than 4.5–6 km of rift‐related deposits). Middle Jurassic‐Early Cretaceous zHe cooling ages obtained indicate that rift‐related subsidence in the Marrakech High Atlas finished in the Middle Jurassic and was followed by a period of exhumation where 2–3 km of rock were eroded. Thermal models from zHe data provide the first thermochronologic clue for a Late Cretaceous initiation of the Atlas compression‐driven exhumation in the inner parts of the Marrakech High Atlas. The Triassic‐Jurassic basin reconstruction assisted by thermochronology highlights a key role of inherited basement anisotropy in rift orientation and evolution, and on its subsequent inversion. Comparison of present‐day and restored sections to the rifting stage aided by thermochronology suggests minimum values of total orogenic shortening in the Marrakech High Atlas of 13 to 14 km (21 to 17%), with exhumation of 1 to more than 5 km of rocks. Similar zHe ages on both sides of the Tizi n'Test fault evince minor vertical movements along the fault during the Atlas orogeny.

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Sedimentology of a transgressive mixed‐energy (wave/tide‐dominated) estuary, Upper Devonian Geirud Formation (Alborz Basin, northern Iran)

Sharafi

Longhitano

Mahboubi

et al. 2016

Contributions to Modern and Ancient Tidal Sedimentology

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Sedimentology of an intra-montane rift-controlled fluvial dominated succession: The Upper Triassic Oukaimeden Sandstone Formation, Central High Atlas, Morocco

Cited by 45 publications

References 67 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

Magnitude of rift‐related burial and orogenic contraction in the Marrakech High Atlas revealed by zircon (U‐Th)/He thermochronology and thermal modeling

Sedimentology of a transgressive mixed‐energy (wave/tide‐dominated) estuary, Upper Devonian Geirud Formation (Alborz Basin, northern Iran)

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