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The Ordovician Foum Larjamme Tunnel Paleo-valleys from Bani Geopark Project—Assessment of Geological Heritage for Geo-education and Geotourism Purposes

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Abstract

The late Ordovician glaciation gave birth to tunnel valleys and their filling in the fields that made up Northern Gondwana at that time. A valuable geoheritage value is attributed to these valleys as they constitute an important part of the Earth history evolution. This study focuses on the scientific value of the Hirnantian tunnel valleys through the case study of Foum Larjamme region, in southeastern of Morocco. The region is a key geosite in the Bani Geopark project. In addition, it constitutes a key locality witnessing the major event of the Hirnantian glaciation. However, it is only recognized by the general public for its archaeological and historical heritage. The present paper describes and assesses the significant scientific value of Foum Larjamme paleo-tunnel valleys. Considering its geographical position and its geological diversity, the study decribes the high geo-educational and geotouristic potentials of the geosite. Furthermore, this geosite is considered as a field laboratory to study and teach the geological risk controlled by the natural phenomena.

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Acknowledgements

We greatly thank the Editor Kevin Page and anonymous reviewers for the useful comments, suggestions, and remarks to improve the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geosciences, Water and Environment Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University Mohamed V, 4 Avenue Ibn Battouta B.P. 1014 RP, Rabat, Morocco

    Soukaina Lahmidi, Mohamed Saadi & Tarik Bahaj

  2. Higher School of Education and Training Berrechid (ESEFB), Hassan First University, Route de Casablanca Km 3.5, BP 539, 26000, Settat, Morocco

    Abdelouahed Lagnaoui

  3. 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, 420008, Kazan, Russian Federation

    Abdelouahed Lagnaoui

  4. Geodynamic and Geomatic Laboratory, Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, Chouaib Doukkali University, BP. 20, 24000, El Jadida, Morocco

    Ilyasse Berrada

  5. Marine Geosciences and Soil Sciences Laboratory LGMSS-URAC 45, Faculty of Sciences, Chouaïb Doukkali University, Route Ben Maachou, B.P. :20, 24.000, El Jadida, Morocco

    Ayoub El Adnani

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Lahmidi, S., Lagnaoui, A., Berrada, I. et al. The Ordovician Foum Larjamme Tunnel Paleo-valleys from Bani Geopark Project—Assessment of Geological Heritage for Geo-education and Geotourism Purposes. Geoheritage 13, 104 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-021-00630-3

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