1. Evolution of the Ridges of Midelt‐Errachidia Section in the High Atlas Revealed by Paleomagnetic Data.
- Author
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Torres‐López, S., Casas, A. M., Villalaín, J. J., Moussaid, B., Ruiz Martínez, V. C., and El‐Ouardi, H.
- Abstract
New paleomagnetic data (43 sites) from Mesozoic sediments are contributed in this work, verifying the presence of a pervasive syntectonic Early Cretaceous remagnetization in the easternmost area of the Moroccan High Atlas. Using the small circle intersection method, we have calculated the characteristic remagnetization direction (Dec: 337.3, Inc: 38.4) that fits with a 100‐Ma age, according to the Apparent Polar Wander Path of Africa. The paleomagnetic vectors of remagnetization are used to obtain the geometry during the remagnetization stage (100 Ma) of one of the most renowned geological cross sections of the High Atlas, the Midelt‐Errachidia profile. The partial restoration of the cross section at 100 Ma allows us to determine the dips of the beds at the remagnetization stage in five structures (ridges or anticlines). Our results indicate that the five ridges that configure the Midelt‐Errachidia profile were initiated to different degrees prior to wholesale compressive deformation during the Cenozoic. This configuration can be explained according to two different scenarios that we discuss in this paper: transpression and diapirism. The geological model obtained, both at present and at 100 Ma, indicates the existence of a Mesozoic cover substantially décolled from the Paleozoic basement, what strongly contrasts with previously published transects of the same area. Key Points: A widespread Albian‐Cenomanian remagnetization affecs the Mesozoic sediments of the Central High Atlas, Midelt‐Errachidia cross sectionRestoration of syn‐tectonic remagnetization allows obtaining the geometry of the basin at the age of the remagnetizationWe provide four detailed restored cross sections at 100 Ma considering two different scenarios, transpression, and diapirism [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
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