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The Tichoukt Massif: a Geotouristic Play in the Folded Middle Atlas (Morocco)

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Abstract

The Folded Middle Atlas Mountains has rich geomorphologic landscapes and remarkable geological sites, little known by the general public. In this paper, we propose an approximately 60-km geological trail, including several geosites mostly staggered in the sinuous valleys of the Atchane and Guigou rivers, between the Boulemane, Skoura, and El Mers. These geosites, reflecting the geological, geomorphological, and environmental history of the region, and combined with strong esthetic value, give a particular scientific and geotouristic interest to the proposed geotrail. The Boulemane panorama gives the opportunity to observe a case study of geomorphology linked to a knee-fold that corresponds to the SW perianticline of the majestic Tichoukt chain. The geotrail then offers several geosites in the Middle Jurassic regressive sedimentary series of the Skoura Syncline. The NE extremity of the Tichoukt shows the thrusting of the fold crest onto the inverted flank of the Skoura Syncline (Pliocene Alpine tectonic). SE flank of the Tichoukt fold is affected by a Middle Jurassic uplift related to faulting and diapiric activity. The geotrail ends in El Mers, which was the site of the first discovery of sauropod dinosaur in Morocco. This geoheritage has been never used into the traditional tourist trail; it deserves to be valued in the context of projects aimed at developing a sustainable eco-geotourism, and the knowledge of the culture of the Amazigh people in these harsh mountainous areas.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the editor in chief and anonymous reviewers for their comments and suggestions. The work of A. Lagnaoui is performed according to the Russian Government Program of Competitive Growth of Kazan Federal University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Sedimentary Basins Dynamic and Geological Correlations, Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences Ben M’sik, Hassan II University of Casablanca, B.P. 7955, Sidi Othmane, Casablanca, Morocco

    M. Oukassou

  2. Laboratory “LGE2D”, Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, B.P. 1796, Atlas, 30000, Fez, Morocco

    Kh. Boumir & D. Ouarhache

  3. National School of Mineral Industry, B.P. 753, Rabat-Agdal, Rabat, Morocco

    Kh. Benshili

  4. Laboratory of Stratigraphy of Oil and Gas Bearing Reservoirs, Department of Paleontology and Stratigraphy, Institute of Geology and Petroleum Technologies, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kremlyovskaya str. 18, Kazan, Russia, 420008

    A. Lagnaoui

  5. Toulouse III University, 13 Terrasses de la Figuière, 30140, Anduze, France

    A. Charrière

Authors
  1. M. Oukassou
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  2. Kh. Boumir
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  3. Kh. Benshili
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  4. D. Ouarhache
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  5. A. Lagnaoui
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  6. A. Charrière
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Oukassou.

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Oukassou, M., Boumir, K., Benshili, K. et al. The Tichoukt Massif: a Geotouristic Play in the Folded Middle Atlas (Morocco). Geoheritage 11, 371–379 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-018-0287-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-018-0287-y

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