Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Evolution of the fracturing in the Paleozoic plutonic complex of Tichka (Western High Atlas, Morocco)

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Paleozoic Tichka massif in the Western High Atlas constitutes a key sector to understand the transition between the Atlas and Anti-Atlas domains. This massif was intruded by several granitoids in which the important plutonic complex Tichka emplaced within Paleozoic rock units was subjected to syn- to late-emplacement deformation (D3) resulting in Variscan ductile structures, and to Late Variscan brittle deformation resulting in faults, joints, and cracks at various scales. Few works were interested in fracturing of this plutonic complex. In this paper, we present the results of our field study of the fractures (included the cracks at the millimeter scale) and faults in the plutonic complex to reveal their kinematics and correlate them with the coeval tectonic events described in the Meseta and western High Atlas. Remote sensing mapping and field observations show consistent results in the trends of joints and faults, with the N60° trend strikingly preponderant. At the microscope scale, the genesis of the cracks is discussed and associated with the two compressive stages identified at the regional scale (D3 and Late Variscan). The cracks trending NW-SE are assigned to the Variscan phase (D3), and those trending between N-S and N40° to the Late Variscan compressive phase. The kinematics of fracturing here described is mainly associated with the Late Variscan phase, which itself comprises many distinct episodes in which we identified the N0°-N20° compressive stress by strike-slip and thrust fault systems in the Tichka massif, which compares with the stress trend identified in other High Atlas and Meseta domains.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ait Brahim L, Chotin P, Hinaj S, Abdelouafi A, El Adraoui A, Nakcha C, Dhont D, Charroud M, Sossey Alaoui F, Amrhar M, Bouaza A, Tabyaoui H, Chaouni A (2002) Paleostress evolution in the Moroccan African margin from Triassic to Present. Tectonophysics 357(1-4):187–205

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amrhar M (2002) Les inversions tectoniques liées au rapprochement et à la collision Afrique-Europe enregistrées dans la couverture méso- et cénozoïque du Haut Atlas occidental (Maroc). 19th Colloquium of African Geology, El Jadida, p.10.

  • Arthaud F, Pistre S (1993) Les fractures et les paléo-contraintes du granite hercynien de Millas (zone axiale des Pyrénées): un cas d’étude de la tectonique cassante d’un aquifère de socle. Geodin Acta 6(3):187–201

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arzi AA (1978) Critical phenomena in the rheology of partially melted rocks. Tectonophysics 44(1-4):173–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Asrat A, Gleizes G, Barbey P, Ayalew D (2003) Magma emplacement and mafic-felsic magma hybridization: structural evidence from the Pan-African Negash pluton, Northern Ethiopia. J Struct Geol 25:1451–1469

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Atkinson BK (1987) Fracture mechanics of rocks. Academic Press editions, London, p 534

    Google Scholar 

  • Baidder L (2007) Structuration de la bordure septentrionale du craton ouest-africain du Cambrien à l’Actuel : cas de l’Anti-Atlas oriental, Thesis (Doctorat d’Etat) University Hassan II Casablanaca, Maroc, 218 pp.

  • Barbey P, Gasquet D, Pin C, Bourgeix AL (2008) Igneous banding, schlieren and mafic enclaves in calc-alkaline granites: the Budduso pluton (Sardinia). Lithos 104:147–163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boummane MH, Olivier P (2007) The Oulad Ouaslam Variscan granitic pluton (Jebilets Massif, Southwestern Moroccan Meseta): a forcibly emplaced laccolithic intrusion characterized by its magnetic and magmatic fabrics. J Afr Earth Sci 47(1):49–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brace WF, Bombolakis EG (1963) A note on brittle crack growth in compression. J Geophys Res 68(12):3709–3713

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen L, Liu JF, Wang CP, Liu J, Su R, Wang J (2014) Characterization of damage evolution in granite under compressive stress condition and its effect on permeability. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 71:340–349

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clemens JD, Helps PA, Stevens G (2009) Chemical structure in granitic magmas – a signal from the source? Earth Environ Sci Trans R Soc Edinburgh 100:159–172

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crider JG (2015) The initiation of brittle faults in crystalline rock. J Struct Geol 77:159–174

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dias R, Hadani M, Leal Machado I, Adnane N, Hendaq Y, Madih K, Matos C (2011) Variscan structural evolution of the western High Atlas and the Haouz plain (Morocco). J Afr Earth Sci 61:331–342

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Domènech M, Teixell A, Babault J, Arboleya ML (2015) The inverted Triassic rift of the Marrakech High Atlas: a reappraisal of basin geometries and faulting histories. Tectonophysics 663:177–191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Domènech M, Teixell A, Stockli D (2016) Magnitude of rift-related burial and orogenic contraction in the Marrakech High Atlas revealed by zircon (U-Th)/He thermochronology and thermal modelling. Tectonics 35:2609–2635

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • El Haimer F (2014) Mouvements verticaux post-Varisques des domaines Mesetien et atlasique : Thermochronologie basse température sur apatite et zircon, Thèse (Doctoral dissertation) Université Hassan II Casablanca, Maroc, 124pp

  • El Kamel F (2004) Etudes géologiques du Paléozoïque de Mechra ben Abbou, Méséta occidentale, Maroc. Notes et Mémoires du Service Géologique du Maroc 462:1–187

    Google Scholar 

  • El Wartiti M (1990) Le Permien du Maroc mésetien : étude géologique et implications paléogéographiques. Thèse d’Etat, Université Mohamed V- Rabat, Maroc, 458 p

  • Ellouz N, Patriat M, Gaulier JM, Bouatmani R, Sabounji S (2003) From rifting to Alpine inversion: Mesozoic and Cenozoic subsidence history of some Moroccan basins. Sediment Geol 156(1-4):185–212

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Errami A, Medina F, Hoepffner C, Ahmamou M, Bensahal A (2002) Etude structurale des formations stéphano-autuniennes d’El Menizla et nouvelle chronologie des phases tardihercyniennes dans le Haut Atlas occidental (Maroc). Afr Geosci Rev 9(1-2):157–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Fekkak A, Ouanaimi H, Michard A, Soulaimani A, Ettachfini EM, Berrada I, El Arabie H, Lagnaoui A, Saddiqi O (2018) Thick-skinned tectonics in a Late Cretaceous-Neogene intracontinental belt (High Atlas Mountains, Morocco): the flat-ramp fault control on basement shortening and cover folding. J Afr Earth Sci 140:169–188

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferrandini J, Cornée J.J, Saber H (1987) Mise en évidence d’une compression sub-méridienne d’âge permien probable dans le massif ancien du Haut-Atlas occidental (Maroc). Évolution de l’ellipsoïde de déformation depuis l’orogenèse hercynienne jusqu’à la distension triasique. Compte Rendu de l’Académie des Sciences Paris 304 II(20):1243–1248

  • Frizon De Lamotte D, Saint Bézar B, Bracène R, Mercier E (2000) The two main steps of the Atlas building and geodynamics of the western Mediterranean. Tectonics 19:740–761

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frizon De Lamotte D, Zizi M, Missenard Y, Hafid M, El Azzouzi R.C, Maury R, Charrière A, Taki Z, Benammi M, Michard A (2008) The Atlas system. In: Michard A, Saddiqi O, Chalouan A, Frizon De Lamotte D (Eds.): Continental Evolution: The Geology of Morocco. Lecture Notes in Earth Sciences, Springer Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg, 116: 133-202

  • Frizon De Lamotte D, Leturmy P, Missenard Y, Khomsi S, Ruiz G, Saddiqi O, Guillocheau F, Michard A (2009) Mesozoic and Cenozoic vertical movements in the Atlas system (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia): an overview. Tectonophysics 475(1):9–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Froitzheim N (1984) Oberkretazische Vertikaltektonik im Hohen Atlas SW von Marrakech/Marokko; rekonstruktion eines Bewegungsablaufs im Frühstadium der Atlas-Orogenese. N Jb Geol Paläont 8:463–471

    Google Scholar 

  • Gasquet D (1991) Genèse d’un pluton composite tardi-hercynien, Le Massif du Tichka, Haut-Atlas occidental (Maroc), (Doctoral dissertation). Université de Nancy, France, p 413

    Google Scholar 

  • Gasquet D (1992) Mise en évidence d'intrusions emboîtées dans le massif du Tichka (Haut Atlas occidental, Maroc). Comptes Rendus Académie des Sciences Paris 314:931–936

    Google Scholar 

  • Gasquet D, Leterrier J, Mrini Z, Vidal P (1992) Petrogenesis of the Hercynian Tichka plutonic complex (Western High Atlas, Morocco): trace element and Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd isotopic constraints. Earth Planet Sci Lett 108:29–44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glazner AF, Bartley JM, Coleman DS, Gray W, Taylor RZ (2004) Are plutons assembled over millions of years by amalgamation from small magma chambers? Geol Soc Am Today 14:4–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Gouiza M, Charton R, Bertotti G, Andriessen P, Storms JEA (2017) Post-Variscan evolution of the Anti-Atlas belt of Morocco constrained from low-temperature geochronology. Int J Earth Sci 106(2):593–616

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hassenforder B (1987) La tectonique panafricaine et varisque de l'Anti-Atlas dans le massif de Kerdous (Maroc). (Doctoral dissertation), université Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg, France. 198p

  • Jaeger JC, Cook NGW, Zimmerman RW (2007) Fundamental rock mechanics, 4th edn. Blackwell, Australia, p 340p

    Google Scholar 

  • Kranz RL (1979) Crack growth and development during creep of Barre Granite. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 16:23e35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kranz RL (1983) Microcracks in rocks: a review. Tectonophysics 100:449e480

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lagarde JL, Roddaz B (1983) Le massif plutonique du Tichka (Haut Atlas Occidental, Maroc) : un diapir syntectonique. Bull de la Soc Géol de France 7:389–395

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laville E, Lesage JL, Seguret M (1977) Géométrie et cinématique (dynamique) de la tectonique sur le versant sud du Haut Atlas marocain. Aperçu sur les tectoniques hercyniennes et tardi-hercyniennes. Bull de la Soc Géol de France XIV(3):527–539

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lécuyer C, Gasquet D, Allemand P, Martineau F, Martinez I (2017) Cooling history of nested plutons from the Variscan Tichka plutonic complex (Morocco). Int J Earth Sci 106(8):2855–2872

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leprêtre R, Missenard Y, Saint-Bezar B, Barbarand J, Delpech G, Yans J, Augustin D, Saddiqi O (2015) The three main steps of the Marrakech High Atlas building in Morocco: structural evidences from the southern foreland, Imini area. J Afr Earth Sci 109:177–194

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malusa MG, Polino R, Feroni AC, Ellero A, Ottria G, Baidder L, Musumeci G (2007) Post-Variscan tectonics in eastern anti-atlas (Morocco). Terra Nova 19(6):481–489

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mandl G (2005) Rock Joints, the mechanical genesis. Springer Verlag, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Mattauer M, Tapponnier P, Proust F (1977) Sur les mécanismes de formation des chaines intracontinentales ; l'exemple des chaines atlasiques du Maroc. Bull de la Soc Géol de France 7(3):521–526

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matzel JEP, Bowring SA, Miller RB (2006) Time scales of pluton construction at differing crustal levels: examples from the Mount Stuart and Tenpeak intrusions, North Cascades. Washington Geo Soc Am Bull 118:1412–1430

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Medina F (1994) Evolution structurale du Haut Atlas occidental et des régions voisines du Trias à l’actuel, dans le cadre de l’ouverture de l’Atlantique Central et de la collision Afrique-Europe. Thèse d’Etat, Université Mohammed V- Rabat, Maroc, 260 pp

  • Michard ACALA, Hœpffner C, Soulaimani A, Baidder L (2008) The variscan belt. In: In Continental evolution: the geology of Morocco. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp 65–132

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Michard A, Soulaimani A, Hoepffner C, Ouanaimi H, Baidder L, Rjimati EC, Saddiqi O (2010) The south-western branch of the Variscan Belt: evidence from Morocco. Tectonophysics 492(1-4):1–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Missenard Y, Zeyen H, Frizon De Lamotte D, Leturmy P, Petit C, Sébrier M, Saddiqi O (2006) Crustal versus asthenospheric origin of relief of the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. J Geophys Res Solid Earth 111(B3)

  • Moore DE, Summers R, Byerlee JD (1990) Deformation of granite during triaxial friction tests. In: Rossmanith HP (ed) Proceedings of the International Conference on the Mechanics of Jointedand Faulted Rock. Balkema, Rotterdam, Vienna, pp 345–352

    Google Scholar 

  • Morel JL, Zouine EM, Andrieux J, Faure-Muret A (2000) Déformations néogènes et quaternaires de la bordure nord haut-atlasique (Maroc) : rôle du socle et conséquences structurales. J Afr Earth Sci 30(1):119–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mrini Z, Vidal P, Gasquet D, Rosé F (1985) Age and origin of hercynian granitoids from Morrocco. Euro Union Geosci Strasbourg, Terra cognita 5:279

    Google Scholar 

  • Mrini Z, Rafi A, Duthou J, Vidal P (1992) Chronologie Rb-Sr des granitoides hercyniens du Maroc; consequences. Bull de la Soc Géol de France 163(3):281–291

    Google Scholar 

  • Ouanaimi H, Petit JP (1992) La limite sud de la chaîne hercynienne dans le Haut Atlas marocain : reconstitution d’un saillant non déformé. Bull de la Soc Géol de France 163(1):63–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Oukassou M (2013) Mouvements verticaux de la bordure nord du Craton Ouest Africain (Anti-Atlas Central, Maroc) (Doctoral dissertation). Université Hassan II de Caablanca, Maroc, p 139

    Google Scholar 

  • Piqué A, Tricart P, Guiraud R, Laville E, Bouaziz S, Amrhar M, Ouali RA (2002) The Mesozoic-Cenozoic Atlas belt (North Africa): an overview. Geodin Acta 15(3):185–208

    Google Scholar 

  • Pollard DD, Aydin A (1988) Progress in understanding jointing over the past century. Geol Soc Am Bull 100:1181e1204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Proust F (1962) Tectonique de socle par failles inverses en liaison avec d'anciennes failles normales dans le Haut Atlas (Maroc). Compte Rendu Sommaire des Séances de la Société Géologique de France 1:9–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Qarbous A, Medina F, Hoepffner C, Ahmamou M, Errami A, Bensahal A (2003) La chronologie du fonctionnement de la zone de failles de Tizi n’Test : apport de l’étude des bassins stéphano-autuniens et permo-triasiques du Haut Atlas occidental (Maroc). Bulletin de l’Institut Scientifique, Rabat, section Sciences de la Terre 25:43–53

    Google Scholar 

  • Qarbous A, Medina F, Hoepffner C (2008) Brittle tectonics and state of stress in the basin of Titzi n’Test (High Atlas, Morocco) during the Tertiary inversion. Estud Geol 64(1):17–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramsay JG (1989) Emplacement kinematics of a granitic diapir: the Chinamora batholith. J Struct Geol 11:191–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raynaud S, Vasseur G (2014) Shear failure mechanism in granite inferred from multi-scale brittle structures. J Struct Geol 66:42–57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosé F (1987) Les types granitiques du Maroc hercynien. (Doctoral dissertation), université. Paris 6, France, 363 p

  • Rosenbaum G, Lister GS, Duboz C (2002) Relative motions of Africa, Iberia and Europe during Alpine orogeny. Tectonophysics 359(1-2):117–129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saber H (1994) Sédimentologie et évidence d'une tectonique Tardi-Hercynienne d’âge Permien Inférieur dans le bassin des Ida Ou Ziki ; sud-ouest du massif ancien du Haut-Atlas (region d'Argana, Maroc). J Afr Earth Sci 19:99–108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saber H (1998) Le Stéphano-Permien du Haut Atlas occidental : étude géologique et évolution géodynamique (Maroc). Thèse d´Etat ès-Sciences, Chouaïb Doukkali University, El Jadida, 212 pp

  • Saber H, El Wartiti M, Broutin J, Toutin Morin N (1995) L'intervalle stéphano-permien (fin du cycle varisque au Maroc). Gaia, Lisbonne 11:57–71

  • Saber H, El Wartiti M, Broutin J (2001) Dynamique sédimentaire comparative dans les bassins stéphano-permiens des Ida Ou Zal et Ida Ou Ziki, Haut Atlas Occidental, Maroc. J Afr Earth Sci 32(4):573–594

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saber H, El Wartiti M, Hmich D, Schneider JW (2007) Tectonic evolution from the Hercynian shortening to the Triassic extension in the Paleozoic sediments of the Western High Atlas (Morocco). J Iber Geol 33(1):31–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Saber H, Hminna A, Jouhari A, Rmich A (2014) Lithostratigraphy and evidence of an extensive tectonic of Lower Permian age in the continental deposits of M’tal (Western Rehamna, Morocco), American International Journal of Research in Formal. Appl Nat Sci 7(1):81–87

    Google Scholar 

  • Saidi A, Tahiri A, Ait Brahim L, Saidi M (2002) Etats de contraintes et mécanismes d’ouverture et de fermeture des bassins permiens du Maroc hercynien. L’exemple des bassins des Jebilet et des Rehamna, Comptes Rendus Géoscience 334:221–226

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaer J.P (1967) Interférence entre les structures du socle et celles de la couverture dans le Haut Atlas marocain. In : Etages tectoniques. Colloque Neuchâtel, éd. La Baconnière, pp. 297–306

  • Scott GB, Vogel TA (1980) The origin of the acidic and basic rocks of the Tichka Massif, Morocco, based on rare earth elements. Contrib Mineral Petrol 75:89–95

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Segall P, Pollard DD (1983) Nucleation and growth of strike-slip faults in granite. J Geophys Res 88(B1):555–568

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Si Mhamdi H, Raji M, Oukassou M (2016) Utilisation de la télédétection dans la cartographie automatique des linéaments géologiques du granitoïde de Tichka (Haut Atlas Occidental). Eur J Sci Res 142(4):321–333

    Google Scholar 

  • Si Mhamdi H, Raji M, Maimouni S, Oukassou M (2017) Fractures network mapping using remote sensing in the Paleozoic massif of Tichka (Western High Atlas, Morocco). Arab J Geosci 10(5):125

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tahiri A, Medina F (1989) Analyse structurale de la fracturation dans le Paléozoïque au nord d’Oulmès (Maroc central). Bulletin de l’Institut Scientifique Rabat 13:29–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Teixell A, Arboleya ML, Julivert M, Charroud M (2003) Tectonic shortening and topography in the central High Atlas (Morocco). Tectonics 22(5)

  • Teixell A, Ayarza P, Zeyen H, Fernàndez M, Arboleya ML (2005) Effects of mantle upwelling in a compressional setting: the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Terranova 17:456–461

    Google Scholar 

  • Termier H, Termier G (1971) Le massif granito-dioritique du Tichka (Haut Atlas occidental, Maroc), Volume I : Les régions et les terrains. Notes et Mémoires du Service Géologique du Maroc 216:240

    Google Scholar 

  • Tesón E, Pueyo EL, Teixell A, Barnolas A, Agustí J, Furió M (2010) Magnetostratigraphy of the Ouarzazate Basin: implications for the timing of deformation and mountain building in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Geodin Acta 23(4):151–165

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vogel TA, Walker BM (1975) The Tichka Massif, Morocco-an example of contemporaneous acidic and basic plutonism. Lithos 8:29–38

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vogel TA, Williams ER, Preston JK, Walker BM (1976) Origin of the late Paleozoic plutonic massifs in Morocco. Geol Soc Am Bull 87(12):1753–1762

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Griffin WL, O’Reilly SY, Zhou XM, Xu XS, Jackson SE, Pearson NJ (2002) Morphology and geochemistry of zircons from late Mesozoic igneous complexes in coastal SE China: implications for petrogenesis. Min Mag 66:235–225

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Applied Geology, Department of Geosciences, Errachidia, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques Errachidia, Moulay Ismaïl University, Meknes, Morocco

    Hicham Si Mhamdi

  2. Laboratory of Applied Geology, Geoinformatic and Environment, Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences Ben M’sik, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco

    Mostafa Oukassou & Mohammed Raji

Authors
  1. Hicham Si Mhamdi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mostafa Oukassou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mohammed Raji
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hicham Si Mhamdi.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

We declare that we have no competing interests that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: François Roure

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Si Mhamdi, H., Oukassou, M. & Raji, M. Evolution of the fracturing in the Paleozoic plutonic complex of Tichka (Western High Atlas, Morocco). Arab J Geosci 14, 1858 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-08167-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-08167-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation