Fractures distribution and basement-cover interaction in a polytectonic domain: A case study from the Saghro Massif (Eastern Anti-Atlas, Morocco)

Transpressional structuring of the High Atlas belt, Morocco

Tectonic and micro-tectonic studies at different scales are of primary importance in a modern metallogenic investigation. In the Ougnat massif of the eastern Anti-Atlas belt (Morocco), the barite ore deposit is hosted within mafic to felsic rocks of the Ediacaran Saghro and Ouarzazate groups together with their folded Paleozoic cover. Here, we provide for the first time new field-based data on the tectonic control of barite mineralization, and their relation with regional tectonic events. The mineralization occurs in brittle-ductile structures as a vein-type system, mainly hosted within NE-SW to E-W and NW-SE strike-slip-normal faults. Economic orebodies spread frequently along the Precambrian-Cambrian contact zone thus acting as open conduits for mineralized fluid flow. The geometry of hosted barite sigmoidal lenses corresponds to “pull-apart” or “tension gashes” openings, commonly arranged en echelon arrays along the bearing transcrustal faults. The occurrence of predominant massive and breccia internal texture implies a tectonic-mineralizing collapse process in an extensional tectonic context. Kinematic pattern, directional distribution and host-rock age relationship point to a syntectonic barite control probably occurred during the NW-SE Atlantic rifting, as already attributed to similar deposits in the neighboring Ougarta and Atlas-Meseta domains. The barite ore is quantitatively and qualitatively more preserved in competent host rocks than those with ductile behavior, thus offering a useful hint for further barite exploration in this part of the Anti-Atlas fold and thrust belt. 

Fault-controlled barite veins of the eastern Anti-Atlas (Ougnat, Morocco), a far-field effect of the Central Atlantic opening? Structural analysis and metallogenic implications

Two research teams have different opinions regarding the number of paradoxidine species close to the base of the Miaolingian in Morocco and Spain. Geyer & Vincent (2015) recognized five species based on a mosaic of overlapping characters that include some relative length and width ratios, qualitative descriptions of cranidial and pygidial outlines, and relief observations. In contrast, Alvaro et al. (2018) conducted a morphometric analysis of all these specimens from the Cambropallas telesto acme level of the Assemame quarry and concluded that the Moroccan material had been taxonomically over-split and was represented by only two species, Acadoparadoxides mureroensis and A. nobilis. Subsequently, Geyer et al. (2019) commented that we had not analysed some diagnostic characters, and applied the stratigraphic setting of their morphospecies as a diagnostic character for taxonomic identification. After sampling the Cambropallas telesto acme level in the Taroucht quarry, where the other team purchased its collection, and re-analysing the diagnostic characters claimed by Geyer et al. (2019), our conclusions are maintained: (i) morphometric values of several paratype specimens fall outside the purported ranges of diagnostic characters; (ii) all 2D morphometric analyses incorporating the diagnostic characters of the morphospecies are unable to detect interspecific differences, except for A. nobilis; and (iii) the slight concavity displayed by some pygidia, strongly controlled by preservation, is in need of 3D biometrical analysis. Hence, our proposed synonymy should be maintained until 3D statistical analyses are available on material preserved in carbonate or concretions.

Reply to Comment on: Álvaro J.J., Esteve, J. & Zamora, S. 2019. Morphological assessment of the earliest paradoxidid trilobites (Cambrian Series 3) from Morocco and Spain [Geological Magazine] by Geyer G, Nowicki J, Żylińska A & Landing E

Abstract The Mississippian (Tournaisian–Visean) of the Jbel Asdaf area in the Tisdafine Basin (Eastern Anti-Atlas, Morocco) has been, for the first time, the subject of a palynological study. This work aims first to describe the lithological and the paleontological composition of the Aït Yalla and Tinerhir Formations, then to refine the age, reconstruct the paleoenvironment and assess the thermal maturity of the organic matter. The studied section is subdivided, from oldest to youngest, into three intervals, according to their lithological and paleontological compositions. Lithologically, the lower interval (lower part of the Aït Yalla Formation) and middle interval (upper part of the Aït Yalla Formation and basal part of the Tinerhir Formation) consist mostly of clay shales and green shales, respectively, both alternating with limestone or sandstone beds. The upper interval (upper part of the Tinerhir Formation) is dominated by sandstones, also alternating with pelitic-sandstone or limestone beds. The kerogen delivered by the analyzed samples is mostly of continental origin, composed mainly of opaque phytoclasts, while translucent phytoclasts and miospores are less represented. Marine fraction, consisting mainly of granular amorphous organic matter and some phytoplankton, are rare. Biostratigraphically, the late Visean Tripartites vetustus – Rotaspora fracta (VF) miospore Zone of the Western Europe biozonal scheme is recognized with some regards in the Tinerhir Formation, based on the first occurrence of the miospore Rotaspora cf. knoxi . Vallatisporites aff. ciliaris is another biostratigraphic marker taxon of the assemblage, whose the last occurrence marks the end of the VF Biozone at the top of the analyzed section. Qualitative and quantitative parameters of the different palynofacies constituents (e.g., shape, size, % of opaque and translucent phytoclasts) show, from the base to the top of the section, a gradual transition from a distal marine environment generally recognized in the Aït Yalla Formation towards an intermediate marine environment in the Tinerhir Formation, suggesting a sea-level fall. Optical analyses performed on the color of palynomorphs, mainly spores, suggest a thermal maturity, ranging from late mature to early post-mature stage for most of the analysed samples, with a burial depth and a temperature of at least 3300 m and 90 °C, respectively. 

https://sjpp.springeropen.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s13358-022-00256-0

Integrated palynology and sedimentology of the Mississippian of the Tisdafine Basin (Eastern Anti-Atlas, Morocco)

Carte Géologique du Maroc au 1/50000 - Feuille Taroucht

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Carte Géologique du Maroc au 1/50000 - Feuille Taroucht