This book is a condensed summary of a broad spectrum of the geological heritage of the Middle Atlas. It has the particularity of proposing an in-depth synthesis and a critical review of the geoheritage of the region. The book addresses the issues related to geoheritage and methodologies for the selection, inventory, assessment and preservation of geosites. It reviews the state of the art of geoheritage in Morocco, particularly in the Middle Atlas, in order to identify geosites with rare and unique geological features. The book presents a detailed study of lithostratigraphic and sedimentological heritage as geosites witnessing at different spatial and temporal scales the evolution and the stratigraphic, sedimentological and paleogeographic history of the Middle Atlas range. It also presents the paleontological heritage of vertebrates by reviewing the discoveries of paleontological sites and their risks in order to present its conservation plans. It also addresses the hydric and fluvial heritage by presenting the potential of water resources and the impact of climate change on the latter. Furthermore, it highlights the karst heritage by exposing an inventory of exo- and endokarst geosites in order to emphasize some unique sites on a national and African scale as well as revealing the underground biodiversity related to this heritage. Finally, it proposes a presentation of the volcanic heritage in order to assess the volcanic geosites that testify to the strombolian, phreatomagmatic and Hawaiian dynamism of the region.
The book is mainly intended for researchers, geologists and specialists of the Moroccan Middle Atlas region wishing to acquire a broad multidisciplinary or even transdisciplinary knowledge. It will also be accessible to a non-initiated public, interested in the richness of the Moroccan geoheritage, as well as to Moroccan territorial authorities (High Commission for Water and Forests, Ministry of Tourism, National Institute of Archaeology and Heritage Sciences, etc.) who can benefit from it in the perspective of their strategies of preservation of the national geological heritage. This work will be an example for geoscientists, on an African scale, of a valorization of territorial geological heritage.
Author(s): Khaoula Baadi
Series: Geoheritage, Geoparks and Geotourism
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 240
City: Cham
Preface
Acknowledgements
Contents
About the Contributors
Contributors
Part I: Introduction
1: Geoheritage: A Growing Research Topic in Morocco and the Middle Atlas
1.1 Geological and Geoheritage Richness of the Middle Atlas
1.2 National Initiatives for Geoheritage Development in Morocco
1.3 Inventory Initiatives in Morocco and Middle Atlas
1.4 Objectives of the Book
1.5 Organization of the Book
References
Part II: Lithostratigraphic and Sedimentological Heritage
2: Paleozoic-Lower and Middle Lias Lithostratigraphic and Sedimentological Geosites of the Middle Atlas (Morocco): Inventory and Valorization
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Diversity of Geological Outcrops
2.2.1 Paleozoic
2.2.2 Trias
2.2.3 Lower and Middle Lias
2.3 From Paleozoic to Lower and Middle Lias Lithostratigraphic and Sedimentological Sites
2.3.1 Kandar
2.3.2 El Ghar
2.3.3 Jbel Lakraâ
2.3.4 Tizi Bou Zaâbel
2.3.5 Koudiat Ech Chham
2.4 Conclusion
References
3: The Brown and Ammonitico-Rosso Levels: Geoheritage Reflecting the Toarcian Lithostratigraphy of the Middle Atlas (Morocco)
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Synclinal Zones and Associated Brown Level
3.2.1 Northern Middle Atlas
3.2.2 Central Middle Atlas
3.2.2.1 Skoura Syncline and Tichoukt Ridge Border
3.2.2.2 Remainder of the Central Middle Atlas
3.2.3 Correlations
3.2.4 Synthesis
3.3 Mobile Zones and Associated Ammonitico-Rosso Level
3.3.1 Ammonitico-Rosso and Associated Facies: Case of the Tafghourt Geosite
3.3.2 Comparisons and Correlations
3.4 Conclusion
References
4: Jbel Serhla: A Particular Geosite of Lithostratigraphic, Paleogeographic and Paleontological Importance
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Lithostratigraphic and Paleogeographic Study
4.3 Geodynamic Evolution
4.4 Bone Assembly: Cave of Tamezguid n’Rbi
4.5 Conclusion and Recommendations
References
5: Cenozoic Sites of the Middle Atlas (Morocco): An Alpine Heritage to Be Preserved
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Cenozoic Heritage on Geological Outcrops
5.3 Cenozoic Geodynamic Evolution
5.4 Cenozoic Geoheritage
5.4.1 Inventory
5.4.2 Quantitative Assessment (Ss) and Degree of Deterioration (Sd)
5.5 Cenozoic Geosites
5.5.1 Paleogene Geosite: Timahdite Limestones
5.5.2 Miocene Geosites
5.5.2.1 Oued Zra
5.5.2.2 Oued Mdez
5.5.2.3 Taanint Ou Moudou
5.5.2.4 Ribat al Khayr
5.5.2.5 Col Touaher
5.5.3 Plio-quaternary Geosites
5.5.3.1 Aderj Plateau
5.5.3.2 El Karia
5.6 State of Preservation
5.7 Conclusion
References
Part III: Palaeontological Heritage
6: The Palaeontological Heritage of Vertebrates in the Middle Atlas (Morocco): Initiatives of Inventory and Assessment for a Rare Heritage Threatened with Degradation
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Paleontological Heritage of Vertebrates
6.2.1 Inventory and Assessment
6.2.2 Paleontological Geosites of Vertebrates
6.2.2.1 Aït Bazza
6.2.2.2 Ancherif
6.2.2.3 Boulahfa
6.2.2.4 El Mers
6.2.3 Paleontoheritage: Between Degradation and Preservation Initiatives
6.3 Discussion
6.4 Conclusion and Perspectives
References
7: 3D Virtual Visit of the Paleontological Site of Anchrif (Middle Atlas, Morocco): A New Perspective for the Enhancement of Geoheritage
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Geological Setting
7.3 History of Anchrif Paleontological Site
7.4 Methods, Equipment, Software, and General Workflow
7.4.1 UAV Photogrammetry
7.4.2 Terrestrial Laser Scanning
7.4.3 3D Virtual Visit
7.5 Results and Discussions
7.6 Conclusion
References
Part IV: Hydric Heritage
8: Hydric Geosites of Middle Atlas: A Natural Heritage Under Threat
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Water and Climate in the Middle Atlas
8.3 Hydric Geosites
8.3.1 Aghbalou Aberchane
8.3.2 Aïn Sebou
8.3.3 Aïn Skhounate
8.3.4 Ras El Ma
8.3.5 Oum Er-Rbia
8.3.6 Zaouiat Ifrane
8.3.7 Lake Afourgagh
8.3.8 Aguelmam Azegza
8.3.9 Aguelmam Sidi Ali
8.3.10 Dayet Ifrah
8.3.11 Guelta Tameda
8.3.12 Tiguelmamines
8.4 Conclusion
References
9: Fluvial Heritage of the Middle Atlas (Morocco): An Essential Element for Regional Sustainable Development
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Fluvial Landscape
9.3 Fluvial Heritage
9.3.1 Fluvial Geosites
9.3.1.1 Bizi
9.3.1.2 Taffert
9.3.1.3 Taferdoust
9.4 Importance of Fluvial Heritage on Sustainable Development
9.5 Conclusion
References
Part V: Karst Heritage
10: Exo- and Endokarst of the Middle Atlas (Morocco): From Inventory to Promotion
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Karstic Geomorphology
10.3 Karstic Geosites
10.3.1 Inventory and Quantitative Assessment
10.3.2 Degree of Deterioration
10.3.2.1 Ademame
10.3.2.2 Chaâra
10.3.2.3 Poljé Chiker
10.3.2.4 Tisfoula
10.3.2.5 Grotte Chaâra
10.3.2.6 Grotte Chiker
10.3.2.7 Gouffre Friouato
10.3.2.8 Ras El Oued
10.4 Karstic Heritage Promotion Initiatives
10.5 Conclusion
References
11: Geomorphological Study of the Endo-Karst of the Middle Atlas as a Geological Heritage to Be Preserved, Case of the Chaara Cave, Province of Taza
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Location of the Study Area
11.2.1 The Karstic Basin of the Chaara Cave
11.3 Geological Setting
11.3.1 Paleozoic
11.3.2 Trias
11.3.3 Lower and Middle Lias
11.3.4 Upper Lias and Dogger
11.3.5 Quaternary
11.4 Presentation of the Chaara Cave
11.5 Speleometry and Topography of the Chaara Cave
11.6 Chaara Cave Exploration
11.6.1 The Underground Rooms of the Chaara Cave
11.6.2 The Speleothems of the Chaara Cave
11.6.3 Chaara Cave Chandelier
11.6.4 The Columns of the Chaara Cave
11.6.5 Chaara Cave Draperies
11.6.6 The Stalactites of the Chaara Cave
11.6.7 Stalagmites of the Chaara Cave
11.6.8 Calcite Crystals in the Shape of Sharp Teeth
11.6.9 The Gours of the Chaara Cave
11.7 Photogrammetry of Crocodylomorph Teleosauridae from Chaara Cave
11.8 Conclusion
References
12: Biodiversity endokarstic of the Middle Atlas (Morocco): An Underground Richness to Inventory
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Historical Summary
12.3 Endokarst Biodiversity
12.3.1 Aquatic Endokarst Fauna (Stygofauna) of the Middle Atlas
12.3.2 Terrestrial Endokarst Fauna (Troglofauna) of the Middle Atlas
12.3.3 Plants and Endokarst Bacteria of the Middle Atlas
12.4 Environmental Changes and Human Impacts
12.4.1 Environmental Changes
12.4.2 Human Impacts
12.5 Perspectives
12.6 Conclusion
References
Part VI: Volcanic Heritage
13: Volcanic Landscape of the Middle Atlas: A Representative Heritage of Moroccan Geological History
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Landform Elements
13.3 Diversity of Volcanic Landscapes
13.3.1 Strombolian-Style Scoria Cone Landscapes
13.3.1.1 Bou-Teguerrouine [33°16′43.83″N;5°5′41.04″W]
13.3.1.2 El Koudiate [33°31′10.67″N;5°9′50.90″W]
13.3.1.3 Jbel Hébri [33°21′20.38″N;5°9′17.31″W]
13.3.1.4 Taiissout [33°19′11.63″N;5°6′40.02″W]
13.3.2 Phreatomagmatic Style Landscapes
13.3.2.1 Lechmine Aït el Haj [33°22′53.75″N;5°4′12.41″W]
13.3.2.2 Bou-Ibalrhatène [33°20′21.31″N;5°2′52.56″W]
13.3.2.3 Lechmine n’Ikettane [33°22′34.08″N;5°7′31.46″W]
13.3.3 Mixed Style Landscapes
13.3.3.1 Lechmine Izgar [33°15′51.13″N;5°6′17.54″W]
13.3.3.2 Ouest Hébri [33°21′37.69″N;5°8′29.99″W]
13.3.3.3 Tahbrite [33°20′46.49″N;5°7′48.73″W]
13.3.3.4 Timahdite [33°13′50.62″N;5°3′59.07″W]
13.4 Conclusion
References
14: The Volcanism of the Plio-Quaternary of Azrou-Timahdite Plateau (Central Middle Atlas, Morocco): Potential for Geotourism Development
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Geological and Geomorphological Context
14.3 Identification of Volcanic Sites
14.3.1 Lechmine Ait el Haj
14.3.2 Michlifène
14.3.3 Lechmine Bou-Ibalrhatène
14.3.4 Ouest Hébri
14.3.5 Lechmine n’Ikettane
14.3.6 Bou-Teguerrouine
14.3.7 El Koudiate
14.3.8 Outgui
14.4 Promotion of Azrou-Timahdite Plateau Sites
14.5 Discussion
14.6 Conclusion
References
Part VII: Conclusion
15: Geoheritage: Between Geological Heritage Protection Initiatives
15.1 Natural Heritage Protection Initiatives: National Environmental Standards
15.2 Recommendations and Proposals
Reference
Index
