G e o l o g i c a A c t a , Vo l .

1 1 , N º 3 , S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 3 , 2 7 7 - 2 9 3
DOI: 10.1344/105.000001843
Av a i l a b l e o n l i n e a t w w w. g e o l o g i c a - a c t a . c o m

Evidence of extensional metamorphism associated to Cretaceous

rifting of the North-Maghrebian passive margin: The Tanger-
Ketama Unit (External Rif, northern Morocco)

1,2 3 4 5 5,6
M. VÁZQUEZ L. ASEBRIY A. AZDIMOUSA A. JABALOY G. BOOTH-REA
7 8 5
L. BARBERO M. MELLINI F. GONZÁLEZ-LODEIRO

1 Andean Geothermal Center of Excellence (CEGA), Universidad de Chile

Santiago, Chile. E-mail: [email protected]

2 Department of Geology, Universidad de Chile

Santiago, Chile. E-mail: [email protected]

3 Institut Scientifique, B.P. 703, Université Mohammed V

Agdal-Rabat (Morocco). E-mail: [email protected]

4 Laboratoire LGA, Faculté des Sciences, Université Mohammed I

Oujda (Morocco). E-mail: [email protected]

5 Departamento de Geodinámica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada

C/Fuentenueva s/n. 18071, Granada Spain

6 Departamento de Geodinámica, Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra (IACT), CSIC-Universidad de Granada

Facultad de Ciencias, 18002, Granada (Spain).E-mail: [email protected]

7 Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales, Universidad de Cádiz
11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz (Spain). E-mail: [email protected]

8 Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Siena

Via del Laterino 8, 53100 Siena (Italy). E-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT
The distribution pattern of diagenetic conditions to very low-grade metamorphism in the eastern Rif has been
determined based on a study of clay-mineral assemblages and illite crystallinity of Mesozoic metapelites. Low-
grade conditions were reached in marbles and also in the Beni-Malek serpentinites, as suggested by the mineral
assemblages present in the marbles and antigorite growth in serpentinites. Previous thermochronological data are
based on i) 40Ar/39Ar in amphiboles from greenschists; and ii) K/Ar in white micas from metasandstones, and iii)
fission tracks in apatites and zircons from metasandstones. These data indicate a Late Cretaceous age (∼80Ma)
for the very low- to low-grade metamorphism. We propose an evolutionary model for the Tanger-Ketama Unit
consisting of a Lower Cretaceous sequence deposited in half-graben basins over an exhumed serpentinized mantle
in a setting similar to the West Galician non-volcanic margin. The sediments underwent diagenesis to very low-
grade metamorphism under relatively high heat flow in this extensional setting. Miocene contractional deformation

277
M. VÁZQUEZ et al. Extensional metamorphism in the North-Magrebian passive margin

of the Tanger-Ketama Unit resulted in a penetrative crenulation cleavage associated to asymmetric inclined folds.
This crenulation developed, mostly by solution-transfer processes, without significant mineral growth. Miocene
metamorphism reset the apatite fission-tracks, but metamorphic conditions were not high enough to reset either
the K/Ar ages or the zircon fission tracks.
KEYWORDS Low-grade extensional metamorphism. Illite crystallinity. Kübler index. Tanger-Ketama unit. External Rif. Northern Morocco.

INTRODUCTION by tectonic thickening-related metamorphism. This is

probably why pre-orogenic extensional metamorphism is
Diastathermal or extensional metamorphism has poorly documented in passive margins presently forming
been described in certain ancient continental areas that part of orogenic belts such as the Alps or the Betics-Rif.
have experienced considerable thinning and subsidence
(Robinson, 1987; Robinson and Bevins, 1989; Merriman, In this paper, we present evidence for the occurrence
2005). Extensional metamorphism in these cases is of extensional metamorphism associated with the
characterized by very low- to low-grade conditions and is development of the Mesozoic North-African passive
caused by heating at the base of the basin related to thermal margin and the exhumation of subcontinental serpentinized
blanketing by the overlying sedimentary sequence and to mantle in the very low- to low-grade metamorphic rocks of
the high heat flow characteristic of extensional settings. the Tanger-Ketama Unit (Rif Cordillera, North Africa). We
The thick sedimentary cover acts as an insulating, low- have studied this low-grade metamorphism and determined
conductivity layer inhibiting advective heat transfer its relationship with the pre-orogenic extensional structure
(Zhang, 1993). This is especially the case when the of the North-African passive margin. We then examine
sedimentary cover consists of impermeable pelitic facies these results in the light of previous thermochronological
that do not permit advective heat transfer. The Palaeozoic data and discuss the tectonic implications for the regional
Welsh Basin (United Kingdom) is one of the type examples evolution of the Rif Cordillera.
of a diastathermal setting. Regional studies of illite crystallinity
from metapelites in this basin (e.g. Merriman and Roberts, 1985;
Roberts and Merriman, 1985; Robinson and Bevins, 1986) GEOLOGICAL SETTING
established the overall pattern of metamorphism across the basin,
characterized by deeper diagenesis along its margin to epizonal The Rif Belt (northern Morocco) and the Betics
conditions in the centre. Since metamorphic grade increases (southern Spain) are the western arcuate termination of
with strata age, Robinson and Bevins (1986) suggested that the Alpine Mediterranean orogen (Fig. 1) produced by
depth of burial was the dominant control on the metamorphic the convergence of the African and Eurasian plates since
pattern when shale sequences are buried in a passive margin the Late Mesozoic (e.g. Dewey et al., 1989; Jolivet et al.,
setting (Merriman and Frey, 1999; Merriman, 2005). 2003; Chalouan and Michard, 2004). The Rif Belt forms
an arc-shaped mountain belt fringing northern Africa,
Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous extension also extending from Morocco to the west to Algeria to the east
occurred in several basins around Iberia and the Tethys (Tell Mountains).
(Casas et al., 2000; Mata et al., 2001; Goldberg et al.,
1986, 1988), in some cases leading to the exhumation of Three major zones are usually distinguished in the
subcontinental mantle, as in the non-volcanic West Iberian Rif Belt: the Internal Zones, the Maghrebian Flyschs,
and Tethyan passive margins in the Alps and the Pyrenees and the External Zones (Figs. 1; 2). The Internal Zones
(Golberg et al., 1986; Montigny et al., 1986; Fabriés et are part of the Alborán Domain according to Balanyá
al., 1998; Pérez-Gussinyé and Reston, 2001; Wilson et and García-Dueñas (1987). These Internal Zones have
al., 2001, and references therein). Subcontinental mantle been interpreted as part of an allochthonous terrane
exhumation also occurred in the North-Maghrebian formed by a stack of hinterland metamorphic units
passive margin, resulting in the exposure of the Beni- (Andrieux et al., 1971; Balanyá and García-Dueñas,
Malek serpentinites and other small serpentinitic bodies 1987) that underwent subduction-collision processes
(Michard et al., 1992; 2007). Geophysical studies suggest (e.g. Azañón and Crespo-Blanc, 2000; Faccenna et al.,
the existence of at least two 20x10km-sized peridotitic 2004; Michard et al., 2006; Booth-Rea et al., 2007).
bodies below the eastern Rif (Elazzab et al., 1997). The Maghrebian Flyschs are overthrust by the Internal
Zones except for some outcrops on top of the Alborán
Extensional metamorphism in regions that have Domain. The tectonic units of the Maghrebian Flyschs
undergone later orogenesis can easily be overprinted are composed of Lower Jurassic to Oligocene sediments

Geologica Acta, 11(3), 277-293 (2013) 278

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M. VÁZQUEZ et al. Extensional metamorphism in the North-Magrebian passive margin

A EUROPE 5.6 Plate convergence

(mm/yr) Nuvel 1A
Transport direction:
45º Extensional system
Alps
Main thrust system
Internal Zone rocks
A (Alboran type domain)
pe
nn
Ligurian in
es
basin
IBERIAN r.
40º i aT
PENINSULA le nc Tyrrhenian
Va basin

arc
Figure 1B s Balea
ric basin n
Beti ero- ria
c

Alg Calab
es
Kabyli
n b asin
Albora Tell
35º TunisiaN
6 Atlas 7.3
5.6 s 8.1
Rif Belt At la
ra
ha
Sa
Atlas

AFRICA
30º
350º 355º 0º 5º 10º 15º 20º 25º

38ºN
B

in
as
cb
37ºN
le ari
- Ba
ro
Cabo de Gata
ge
Málaga
Al

Gibraltar
Tell
36ºN
Tanger ge
n Rid Oran
orá
A lb Figure 2
Nador
35ºN Reverse fault Foreland domains
Iberian foreland
Rif Belt Normal fault
Middle Atlas autocthonous units
Neogene-Quaternary Miocene thrust belt units
sediments Flysch units
Neogene-Quaternary
South-Iberian paleomargin
volcanics
s North Maghrebian paleomargin
tla Internal Zones (Alborán domain) Pre-Rif Zone
Subrif Zone

e A Nevado-Filábride complex Tanger-Ketama Unit

34ºN Fes dl Alpujárride-Sebtide and Maláguide-
id Aknoul & Loukos units
M Ghomaride complexes Triassic and Jurassic epizone rocks
(in black, peridotites). Temsamane units (epizone)
Crust in the submarine realm: Oceanic crust Thinned continental crust

6ºW 5ºW 4ºW 3ºW 2ºW 1ºW 0º 1ºE

FIGURE 1 A) Geological sketch of the Western Mediterranean. Rectangle marks the location of Figure 2. B) Geological sketch of the Rif Belt.
Figure 1

Geologica Acta, 11(3), 277-293 (2013) 279

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M. VÁZQUEZ et al. Extensional metamorphism in the North-Magrebian passive margin

Outcropping
Alboran Sea Beni-Malek 10 Km

N ALHOCEIM A
Peridotites

30 nT
AFT 17.0±0. 9 Figure 5

10 nT
MIDA R

30 nT
K/Ar 81.6±4. 0
10 nT
K/Ar 78.0±1. 2
AFT 14.6±2. 5

Neogene-Quaternary External zones

volcanics (North Maghrebian paleomargin)

AFT 13.9±1. 8 Plio-Quaternary sediments Aknoul Unit Eocene-Oligocene

K/Ar 126.6±2. 1 (diagenesis)
Subrif Zone
K/Ar 131.9±3. 2 Miocene sediments Late Cretaceous
Tanger-Ketama Unit
(deeper diagenesis - anchizone)
Hinterland and suture units Latest Albian
Triassic breccias
TAOUNA TE Internal Zones of the Nekor Fault Berriasian-
(Alborán Domain) Albian
Temsamane Units
Flysch units (mainly epizone)
(Maghrebian Flyschs) Jurassic

Area with predominance

of anchizone conditions Crystallinity Index Standard values

Thrust Normal Fault Diagenetic conditions (K I > 0.42º 2 � ) Anchizone conditions (0.42º 2 Θ >KI>0.25º 2Θ )

Figure
FIGURE 2 Geological map of the eastern Rif with the location of the samples mentioned in the study. Circles represent the samples from Leikine et al.
(1991) with the new Calibration International Standard value calculated in this work (Table I, electronic appendix available at www.geologica-acta.com),
and diamonds represent the new samples from this work (Table 1). The area outlined in magenta indicates the zone with anchizone conditions. Stars
indicate the location and age of the K/Ar (K/Ar) and apatite fission-track (AFT) data from Azdimousa et al. (1998, 2003). Dashed and dotted black
lines represent the isolines of the magnetic anomaly at 10 nT and 30 nT respectively; the latter roughly corresponds with the limits of the modeled
ultramafic bodies below the Eastern Rif Belt (Elazzab et al., 1997).

with Lower Cretaceous and Oligo–Miocene turbiditic and fragments of schists and metaconglomerates from
levels. They represent deep-seated sediments deposited the Palaeozoic sequences of the African basement, with
on highly thinned continental crust or on oceanic crust significant lateral variations in thickness (Lespinasse,
located between the African palaeomargin and the Alborán 1975; Asebriy, 1984; Ciszak et al., 1986; Asebriy et al.,
Domain (Durand-Delga et al., 2000). 1987; Ciszak, 1987; Kuhnt and Obert, 1991).

The External Zones are interpreted as the North African The External Zones are themselves composed of two
(Maghrebian) passive margin overthrust by the Internal structural zones: the Sub-Rif Zone and the Pre-Rif Zone
Zones. The External Zones are mainly formed by Mesozoic (Asebriy et al., 1987). The Sub-Rif Zone includes the Intra-
and Cenozoic sediments and also include minor alkaline Rif and Meso-Rif zones as defined by Durand-Delga et al.
intrusive rocks and serpentinites. This palaeomargin (1962). The Pre-Rif Zone, to the south of the Rif Belt, is a
underwent different stages of subsidence, mainly during sedimentary complex of olistostromes with Palaeozoic to
the Cretaceous, and is characterized by olistostrome-rich Cenozoic blocks in a matrix mainly composed of Tortonian
sequences with fragments of limestones, shales, gypsum marls (Sutter, 1980; Vidal, 1971; Leblanc, 1975-1979;
bodies from the Mesozoic and Cenozoic cover sequences, Bourgois, 1977).

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M. VÁZQUEZ et al. Extensional metamorphism in the North-Magrebian passive margin

The Sub-Rif Zone (Asebriy et al., 1987) is composed LITHOSTRATIGRAPHIC SEQUENCE AND STRUCTURE
of diagenetic to low-grade metamorphic rocks deformed OF THE TANGER-KETAMA UNIT
under brittle to ductile conditions (Andrieux, 1971;
Frizon de Lamotte, 1985; Michard et al., 1992; Asebriy, The main outcrop of the Tanger-Ketama Unit (Andrieux,
1994; Asebriy et al., 2003; Azdimousa et al., 1998, 1971; Gübeli et al., 1984) corresponds to a major thrust
2007). It crops out in the central part of the chain and sheet whose basal surface crops out south of Alhoceima
is characterized by a continuous Lower Jurassic to (just south of the Beni-Malek Peridotites in Fig. 2) over the
Cretaceous, mostly pelitic, sedimentary sequence. Temsamane units. Towards Taounate, the main thrust sheet
Several tectonic units include Cenozoic sediments and is duplicated by a secondary thrust surface that crops out in
a few alkaline intrusions of Mesozoic diorites. These four tectonic windows (Fig. 2). The lithological sequence
alkaline intrusions were dated by K-Ar methods as of the upper thrust sheet comprises two formations present
Middle Jurassic (166 ± 3Ma), indicating extensional throughout the entire outcrop: a lower Formation (Fm.)
tectonics in the Callovian–Oxfordian (Harmand et al., (around 500 metres thick) of whitish carbonate shales with
1988; Asebriy, 1994). In the eastern Rif Belt, the Sub-Rif levels of limestones and sandstones dated as Berriasian–
Zone is composed of two groups of tectonic units, the Hauterivian followed upsection by around 500 metres of
Tanger-Ketama Unit and the Temsamane Units (Fig. 2). Aptian–Lower Albian dark shales with sandstone layers
The former unit thrusts over the latter one. (Fig. 3A) (Azdimousa et al., 1998; 2003).

The Tanger-Ketama Unit has variable metamorphism The Lower Cretaceous sediments of the upper thrust
ranging from very low to low grade (Leikine et al., sheet of the Tanger-Ketama Unit overlie two very different
1991). These authors observed as the main mineral types of rocks. In the western and central part of the upper
assemblages muscovite, paragonite, albite and calcite, thrust sheet, the Early Cretaceous metapelites overlie
and also interstratifications such as illite/smectite and around 500m of Jurassic carbonate and pelitic formations
paragonite/muscovite. This metamorphism has been dated (Asebriy et al., 1992). However, in the east of the Tanger-
by K/Ar mica ages and zircon fission tracks (Azdimousa Ketama Unit outcrops, the Cretaceous sedimentary rocks
et al., 1998, 2003). K-Ar ages range from 131.9±3.2Ma are deposited over the ultramafic rocks of the Beni-Malek
to 126.6±2.1Ma (Hauterivian–Barremian ages) in massif (Michard et al., 1992).
the Jurassic rocks, and 81.6±4.0Ma to 78.0±1.2Ma
(Campanian) in the Lower Cretaceous rocks (Azdimousa The Beni-Malek peridotite forms a lens-shaped body
et al., 1998, 2003). These ages are considered to be related approximately 400m thick and 2km long (Choubert et al.,
to the cooling ages determined by fission-track dating in 1984; Michard et al., 1992) (Fig. 2). It mainly consists
the same rocks (Azdimousa et al., 1998, 2003) (Fig. 2). of serpentinized spinel lherzolites (Michard et al., 1992),
The metamorphism affecting Lower Cretaceous rocks is including the presence of occasional pyroxenite layers
dated at 75 to 85Ma by zircon fission tracks. These authors (spinel websterites). The lerzholites are strongly sheared
attribute these ages to the total resetting of the zircon with domains having fine-grained olivine (Fig. 3G),
grains at temperatures of around 300ºC (Azdimousa whereas the serpentinites also include small shear zones
et al., 1998, 2003). However, the temperature of and brittle faults with striations. The peridotite body is
the metamorphism that affected the Upper Jurassic located over an adjacent 10–20m thick strongly sheared
sequence is not as well constrained by fission tracks marble layer that has been attributed to the Jurassic. The
since the zircons show older ages than the depositional marbles are mylonitic rocks with a strong planar-linear
ages, indicating maximum temperatures below 200°C. fabric and include sheared serpentinite clasts. The mineral
Apatite fission-track ages range from 13.9±1.8Ma to assemblage of the marbles includes calcite, phlogopite,
17.0±2.4Ma, suggesting that the rocks entered the phengite, and serpentine polymorphs. In the Ait Amrâne
Complete Annealing Zone of apatite (T>110ºC) and klippe, west of Midar (Fig. 2), amphibolites with actinolite,
cooled below 110ºC during the Burdigalian to the albite, biotite, epidote, and titanite have been found within
Langhian. similar marbles. These assemblages correspond to low-
grade metamorphism (greenschist facies) and indicate
Negro (2005) and Negro et al. (2007, 2008) that the Mesozoic sequence reached temperatures lower
estimated temperatures of around 350±30ºC and than 500ºC. The metamorphic peak was reached at 80Ma
pressures of 7–8kbar for the main metamorphic stage in according to the 40Ar/39Ar radiometric ages on amphiboles
the Northern Temsamane Unit (Fig. 2). The Central and determined in the greenschists within the Jurassic marbles
Southern Temsamane units show lower temperatures (Jabaloy et al., 2012).
and pressures. 40Ar/ 39Ar dating on micas is scarce and
results range widely between 8 and 23Ma (Monié et Lower Cretaceous slates, phyllites, and quartzites of the
al., 1984; Negro, 2005; Negro et al., 2007, 2008). Tanger-Ketama Unit overlie the peridotitic body, without

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M. VÁZQUEZ et al. Extensional metamorphism in the North-Magrebian passive margin

A B
S2 500μm
S2
S0+S1
S0+S1
C

C 100 μm D
S2

* S0+S1

S2

S0+S1

200 μm

500 μm
E F
S3

S2

S1

FIGURE 3 A) View of an outcrop of the Aptian–Lower Albian pelites of the Tanger-Ketama Unit with the two foliations described in the text (S1
500 μm 500 μm
subparallel G
to S0 and S2). B) Thin-section views of sample KET-4, which corresponds to the
H
Berriasian–Hauterivian pelites of the Tanger-Ketama Unit.
The sample has two foliations: S1 subparallel to S0 is a bedding-parallel foliation, and S2 is a discrete crenulation cleavage cutting the sedimentary

OPx ol
layers at points marked with *. C) Close-up of sample KET-4 — its location corresponds to the rectangle marked in B. D) SEM view of sample
mesh
KET-4 corresponding to the Berriasian–Hauterivian pelites; to the right there is a layer of calcite + quartz + phyllosilicates marking the lithological
contact (S0). To the left there is a pelitic layer with chlorites (white) and illites (grey). The crystals of the phyllosilicates defining the S1 are parallel
to each other and parallel to the S0. S2 can be observed as an incipient zonal crenulation cleavage. E) Thin-section view of the S1 slaty cleavage in
antg
sample KET-8 with a CIS value of 0.37º 2Θ corresponding to the Aptian–Lower Albian pelites of the Tanger-Ketama Unit. F) Outcrop of the Berriasian-
Hauterivian phyllites of the affected by F3 open folds with a slow-dipping S3 foliation. G) Thin-section view of a protomylonite corresponding to the
sheared lerzholites in the Beni Malek ultramafic body: olivine (ol), orthopyroxene (OPx). H) Thin-section view of the serpentinites within the Beni
Malek ultramafic body showing the mesh structure transformed into the fine-grained aggregate of antigorite (antg).

OPx
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M. VÁZQUEZ et al. Extensional metamorphism in the North-Magrebian passive margin

the presence of a fault surface separating the different The <2μm fractions were separated by repeated
kinds of rocks (Michard et al., 1992). The presence of extraction of supernatant liquid subsequent to settling.
sandstones with mafic and ultramafic clasts within the Orientated aggregates were prepared by sedimentation
Lower Cretaceous sedimentary rocks, southeast of the on glass slides. Some samples were ethylene-glycol (EG)
Beni-Malek massif (Michard et al., 1992; Chalouan et al., treated to corroborate the identification of smectite and/
2008), supports the location of these rocks on the seafloor or illite-smectite mixed-layers. Preparations of samples
during the Lower Cretaceous. Elazzab et al. (1997) studied and experimental conditions for illite crystallinity (Kübler
the regional aeromagnetic anomaly of the area, proposing Index) measurements were carried out according to IGCP
that there are another two major ultramafic bodies (around 294 IC Working Group recommendations (Kisch, 1991).
20x10km2) below the eastern outcrop of the Tanger- The Crystallinity Index Standard scale considered for
Ketama Unit (Fig. 2). Michard et al. (1992) and Chalouan the calibration of the Kübler Index was the original one
et al. (2008) interpreted the Beni-Malek ultramafic body proposed by Warr and Rice (1994) as no differences in
as a sliver of serpentinite that originated from an Alpine- the measurements were found using their inter-laboratory
type non-volcanic continental margin that developed in standards and those proposed by Kisch et al. (2004).
the Mesozoic Eastern Rif passive margin (Wilson et al., Our Kübler Index measurements (y) were transformed
2001; Boillot and Froitzheim, 2001). Tectonic denudation into Crystallinity Index Standard values (x) using the
of mantle rocks occurred in the very distal portion of this equation y = 1.6583 x – 0.0484 (r = 0.9996). The Kübler
Index values were measured for the <2μm fractions and
Figure 4
margin, in the continent-ocean transition. This sliver was
later incorporated into the present thrust pile during the
Iberian-African Tertiary collision.

The upper part of the lithological sequence of

A
AFT 17.0±0.9

the upper thrust sheet of the Tanger-Ketama Unit is N

composed of around 50 metres of Latest Albian green
pelites, followed upsection by about 600m of detrital and
Targuist

carbonate formations ranging from the Late Cretaceous

to the Eocene.
K/Ar 81.6±4.0

The lower thrust sheet of the Tanger-Ketama Unit that

crops out in the four tectonic windows north of Taounate has Bni Bounsar
Jbel Zerkat

a very similar lithological sequence, but it lacks ultramafic ass

if
rocks and also includes unconformable Upper Oligocene M
ama
K/Ar 78.0±1.2

conglomerates, sandstones, and shales, dated with fossils Ket

(Asebriy et al., 1992; Asebriy, 1994). The conglomerates AFT 14.6±2.5 AFT 13.9±1.8

include clasts from the Mesozoic Tanger-Ketama sequence K/Ar 131.9±3.2

(Figs. 4; 5) and are affected by a spaced cleavage and thrust
K/Ar 126.6±2.1

by the upper thrust sheet during the Miocene (Asebriy et ult

Fa
Jbel Tifelouest

al., 1992; Asebriy, 1994).

Dhar Souk
or
Nek
ANALYTICAL METHODS
Jbel Taïneste
A’

X-ray diffraction (XRD) 0 10Km

Tanger-Ketama Uni t
The sequence of the Tanger-Ketama Unit was studied
Plio-Quaternary
Eocene-Oligocene Aptian-Early Albian

by X-ray diffraction (XRD) in order to determine mineral Late Miocene

Late Cretaceous Berriasian-Hauterivian

assemblages and metamorphic conditions. Ten unaltered Early Miocene

Latest Albian Jurassic

shale and slate samples were carefully collected and

Flysch Units
(Tisirene & Mellousa Units) Aknoul Units Crystallinity

washed; after coarse crushing, homogeneous rock chips

Jurassic to Late Index Standard values
Lower units of the Subrif Zone Cretaceous
Diagenetic conditions

were used for XRD preparation. Whole-rock samples Thrust Normal Fault Triassic
Anchizone conditions

and the clay fraction (<2μm) were studied using a Philips

PW 1710 X-ray diffractometer with Cu-Kα radiation, FIGURE 4 Geological map of the central part of the Tanger-Ketama
graphite monochromator, and automatic divergence slit Unit (see location in Fig. 2), with the locations of the samples:
Circles represent the samples from Leikene et al. (1991) with the
(Department of Mineralogy and Petrology, University of new Crystallinity Index Standard value calculated in this work, and
Granada, Spain). diamonds represent the new samples from this work.

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M. VÁZQUEZ et al. Extensional metamorphism in the North-Magrebian passive margin

Kübler Index
0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2
0 10000 20000 30000

Flysch Units
Tanger-Ketama Unit

SSW Jbel. Tifelouest Targuist NNE

A’ El Arba Bni Bounsar
A
m Tisirene &
K/Ar 131.9±3.2
Mellousa Units
2000

K/Ar 78.0±1.2
K/Ar 81.6±4.0
S2
0 2 4Km K/Ar 126.6±2.1 S0+S1
AFT 17.0±0.9
AFT 14.6±2.5 AFT 13.9±1.8
Probable location of the prolongation
of the Beni-Malek ultramafic bodies
Crystallinity
Index Standard values Flysch Units Berriasian-
(Jurassic-Turonian) Latest Albian Hauterivian Ultramafic rocks
Diagenetic conditions
Anchizone conditions Eocene-Oligocene Aptian- Early Albian Jurassic

Figure
FIGURE 5 Cross-section of Tanger-Ketama Unit showing the distribution pattern of Crystallinity Index Standard Kübler Index values across 5
the unit.
Only those samples with a normal distance of less than 2 km to the profile surface have been represented. Circles represent the samples from
Leikene et al. (1991) with the new Crystallinity Index Standard value calculated in this work, and diamonds represent the new samples from this
work. The probable location of the prolongation of the Beni-Malek ultramaphic bodies is based on the aeromagnetic data from Elazab et al. (1997).

for the bulk-rock samples. The b cell parameters of micas IGCP 294 IC Working Group recommendations (Kisch,
and chlorites were obtained from the 060 peaks measured 1991) (Fig. 6). An excellent linear correlation was
on rock slices cut normal to the sample foliation. For all obtained between the new Crystallinity Index Standard
spacing measurements, quartz from the sample itself was data and the original Kübler Index values from Leikine
used as the internal standard. et al. (1991), using the equation y= 0.9489x + 0.1005
(r=0.9479) (Fig. 6). We then calculated 97 Crystallinity
The Crystallinity Index Standard value of the illite Index Standard values for all the Kübler Index data from
crystallinity index from the samples studied by Leikine Leikine et al. (1991) (Table 1) using this equation. The
et al. (1991) have been added to our data in order to errors between the real Crystallinity Index Standard data
compile more information about variations in this and those calculated from the data published by Leikine
parameter within the central and eastern outcrops of et al. (1991) are not higher than 0.09º2Θ, and most are in
the unit (Table I). The experimental conditions used by the range of 0.02–0.01º2Θ (Fig. 6).
Leikine et al. (1991) for illite crystallinity (Kübler Index)
measurements were different from those included in the Electron Microscopy
IGCP 294 IC Working Group recommendations (Kisch,
1991), the calibration most commonly used currently. In Following the optical studies, representative samples
order to correct for this fact, we took the samples studied were selected for electron microscopy study on the
by Leikine et al. (1992) that were stored at the Institut basis of the observed foliations and bedding. Thin-
Scientifique from the University Mohammed V of Agdal- section compositional images of backscattered electrons
Rabat (Morocco). We selected fifteen samples with very were obtained with an Environmetal Scanning Electron
different original Kübler Index values from the original Microscope (ESEM) Quanta 400, FEI, equipped with a
sampling and determined their Crystallinity Index backscattered electron Solid State Detector (SSD), using
Standard values in the Granada Laboratory according to an acceleration voltage of 25kV. Semiquantitative mineral

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M. VÁZQUEZ et al. Extensional metamorphism in the North-Magrebian passive margin

1,00 either to a retrograde-diagenetic origin for illite-smectite

(according to Nieto et al., 2005) or to the presence of detrital
0,90
y = 0,9489x + 0,1005 components of Na-K micas. Therefore, the Kübler Index
CIS data determined in this work

0,80 R² = 0,9479 has not been considered in this study. Six out of ten samples
confirm anchizone metamorphic conditions (0.33 to 0.41º
0,70
2Θ), and samples KE-3, KE-6, KET-10, and TAO-4 show
0,60 a diagenetic grade (0.47 to 0.57 ∆º 2Θ). The muscovite b
parameter shows extremely homogeneous values from
0,50
8.989 to 8.999Å (Table 1). Due to crystal-chemical reasons,
0,40 the b parameter is closely related with the phengitic content
of micas, which in turn depends on their Fm. pressure
0,30
(Massonne and Schereyer, 1987; Massonne and Szpurka,
0,20 1997). The described values indicate very low phengitic
0,10
contents and therefore low-pressure conditions. Sassi and
Scolari (1974) and Guidotti and Sassi (1986) assigned to
0,00 this b parameter value a pressure that is partly dependent on
0 0,2 0,4 0,6 0,8 1 temperature, but never higher than 2kbar. The Kübler Index
CIS determined by Leikine et al. (1991) distribution pattern shows that metamorphism in the Tanger-
Ketama Unit reached variable conditions. The Kübler
FIGURE 6 Correlation between the Crystallinity Index Standard Index distribution records anchizone conditions in a small
(CIS) values of the Leikine et al. (1991) samples obtained in the
Granada Laboratory for this work and their old Kübler Index previously area in the central part of the unit, which crops out 20km
published. northeast of Taounate. This distribution also indicates deeper
diagenetic conditions in the northern and southern borders
Figure 6 of the study area (Figs. 2; 4). This Kübler Index distribution
microanalyses were performed using an Energy Dispersive
X-ray instrument (EDAX) attached to the ESEM. pattern shows a region of maximum metamorphic grade
with an ENE-WSW trend in the central outcrops. Figure 5
As serpentine polymorphs cannot be differentiated by shows only those samples with a maximum normal distance
XRD, High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy to the cross-section surface of 2km. In the figure, the Kübler
(HRTEM) was used in order to unambiguously identify the Index clearly decreases towards the centre of the unit, where
serpentine mineral assemblages. Appropriate areas of thin the lowest values (0.32º2Θ) occur. The lowest-grade rocks
sections from the Beni-Malek serpentinites were selected that reached deeper diagenetic conditions are found in
by gluing copper rings on samples. After detachment, they the southern and northern outcrops of the Tanger-Ketama
were ion-thinned and carbon-coated for TEM observation. Unit, affecting Jurassic and Uppermost Albian samples,
Samples were examined using a JEOL 2010 microscope (at respectively. As mentioned above, there are unconformable
the University of Siena) operated at 200kV and equipped Oligocene conglomeratic deposits with metamorphic clasts
with a Link energy-dispersive spectrometer. Lattice images forming the uppermost sedimentary Fm. of the lower thrust
were obtained using reflections with interplanar spacing sheet of the Tanger-Ketama Unit. The clays in the matrix
greater than 2Å. of these Oligocene conglomerates have Kübler Index values
ranging from 0.46 to 0.85º2Θ, characteristic of diagenetic
conditions. The lowest value (0.46º2Θ) corresponds to
RESULTS sample TAO- 4 with smectites and illite-smectite mixed-
layers. These Oligocene conglomerates lie unconformably
Illite crystallinity over Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous rocks of the lower thrust
sheet, and also underwent diagenetic conditions (Figs. 4;
The XRD data of the Tanger-Ketama Unit show that 5). Therefore, Miocene thrusting of the upper Ketama unit
quartz, calcite, chlorite, and muscovite are the principal over the Oligocene conglomerates did not contribute to
phases in all samples (Table 1). Na/K mica and paragonite anchizonal metamorphism in the Ketama unit (Asebriy et
have been detected in some samples and show complex al., 1992; Asebriy, 1994).
clay-mineral assemblages. Illite crystallinity was measured
in the samples before and after glycolation. The illite Structure
crystallinity in samples KET-2 and KET-4 is considerably
higher in the ethylene-glycolated samples, indicating the The rocks of the Tanger-Ketama Unit experienced
presence of illite-smectite (I/S) mixed-layers (R3). The co- two deformation phases (Andrieux, 1971) producing
existence in KET-4 of illite-smectite and Na-K micas, which two cleavages. The oldest fabric is a slaty cleavage (S1)
are thermodynamically incompatible phases, could be due parallel to the lithological layering, defined by the growth

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M. VÁZQUEZ et al. Extensional metamorphism in the North-Magrebian passive margin

Table 1. Crystal-chemical parameters and bulk mineralogy of the Tanger-Ketama Unit. See location in Figure 2.
TABLE 1 Crystal-chemical parameters and bulk mineralogy of the Tanger-Ketama Unit. See location in Figure 2

White Mica Chlorite

d 001Å bÅ Illite “Crystallinity” (KI) “CIS” d 001 Å bÅ Mineral composition

scaleº 2  Qtz, Cc, Ms, Chl
(all samples)
Sample Age <2 μm Total <2μm <2EG Total <2 μm Total
KET-2 Ap-L. Alb 9.996 9.994 8.989 0.33 0.52 0.49 14.14 14.15 9.253 Ill-Sm
KET-3 Berr-Haut 9.999 9.990 8.999 0.50 0.52 0.40 14.13 14.13 9.249 Ill-Pg
KET-4 Berr-Haut 9.994 9.994 8.998 0.41 0.51 0.21 14.11 14.14 9,240 Ill/Sm, Pg
KET-5 Berr-Haut 9.982 10.007 8.995 0.41 0.40 0.40 14.10 14.13 9.270
KET-6 Berr-Haut 10.007 10.006 8.994 0.47 0.47 0.42 14.12 14.13 9,275 Ill-Pg
KET-7 Berr-Haut 9.992 9.994 8.997 0.32 0.33 0.35 14.11 14.14 9.275
KET-8 Aptian 10.015 9.965 8.997 0.41 0.46 0.37 14.14 14.13 9,250 Ill-Pg
KET-9 L. Albian 10.003 9.990 8.993 0.41 0.49 0.37 14.11 14.06 9,253 Pg
KET-10 L. Albian 10.005 10.011 8.994 0.57 0.48 0.49 14.12 14.14 9.250 Ill-Sm, Ill-Pg
TAO-4 Olig. 9.996 9.980 8.995 0.51 0.47 0.51 14.10 14.10 9.235 Ill-Sm
Mineral abbreviations according to Kretz (1983).
Ill-Sm= Illite-Smectite mixed-layers Ill-Pg= Na-K mica.
The high- and low-grade boundaries of anchizone in the “CIS” scale are 0.25 and 0.42º 2 (Merriman and Peacor, 1999).
Age abbreviations are: Brr-Haut: Berriasian–Hauterivian, Ap-L. Alb: Aptian–Lower Albian, L. Albian: Latest Albian, Olig.: Oligocene.

of phyllosilicates, quartz, and calcite (Fig. 3A, B, C, D, E). sediments of the Dhar Souk basin are unconformable
This slaty cleavage forms the main reference surface in the on the afore-mentioned footwall rocks, whereas Lower
Tanger-Ketama sequence and is affected by asymmetric Miocene rocks are cut by thrusts in the Jbel Taïneste area
F2 folds. S1 shows no evidence in the outcrops or in thin indicating that thrusts probably formed during the Early to
sections of transposition cleavage, such as isolated hinges Middle Miocene.
(Fig. 3B, C, D, E). The asymmetric folds (F2) have an
axial plane foliation (S2) that is a crenulation cleavage in Serpentinite mineralogy and texture
the Lower Cretaceous rocks (Berriasian–Hauterivian and
Aptian–Lower Albian) and a discontinuous cleavage in The serpentinites show two main mineral assemblages,
the Jurassic and the uppermost Albian rocks. The S2 fabric both recognizable at the optical and TEM scales (Fig. 3G,
is locally penetrative and developed mostly by solution- H). The first assemblage constitutes a mesh texture. The
transfer mechanisms and the rotation of previous grains, as TEM data show that chrysotile, lizardite, and polygonal
manifested by the presence of truncated stratigraphic layers serpentine are in the mesh core and columnar lizardite is
(Fig. 3B, C), veins, and opaque mineral seams (Fig. 3B). in the mesh rim (Fig. 7A, B, C). The second assemblage
In general, very little mineral growth is observed in relation is a fine-grained antigorite aggregate alternating with the
with the S2-spaced crenulation cleavage (Fig. 3B). Foliation mesh textures along shear zones. Shear zones deformed the
surfaces show NNW shallow dips and develop ENE-WSW- mesh structures, indicating that antigorite formed after the
trending pencil structures in the pelites and metapelites. chrysotile, lizardite, and polygonal serpentine polymorphs.
Moreover, locally, there is a gently dipping crenulation A modular structure, which is the unambiguously
cleavage (S3) that deforms the first foliation in the rocks identifying characteristic of antigorite, is clearly visible
related to kink folds (Fig. 3F). The location of the areas with in the lattice-fringe image and the electron diffraction
anchizone metamorphic conditions (Fig. 2) roughly coincides diagram (Fig. 7D). The fine-grained antigorite aggregates
with the distribution of penetrative S1 and S2 foliations consist of (001) twinned crystals (Fig. 7D). The aggregates
within the metapelitic rocks of the Tanger-Ketama Unit. show evidence of two kinds of reaction borders, one where
antigorite replaces the mineral assemblage of the mesh
Figure 5 shows the geometry of the compressional texture and a second one where antigorite aggregates
structures of the Tanger- Ketama unit that deformed the recrystallize to coarser grains.
S1 foliation (which formed in extensional conditions).
The basal thrust surface of the Flysch units cut the reverse The serpentinite assemblages support the occurrence of
limb of the major F2 asymmetrical folds in the Lower low-grade metamorphic evolution. In fact, the retrograde
Cretaceous phyllites and quartzites. There are three major mesh-texture arrangements are well preserved and clearly
synforms and three major antiforms with normal limbs with visible at the optical scale. The transformation to antigorite
lengths of 4 to 6km and reverse limbs of 2km. F2 Folds is limited, localized, and associated with shearing. The
have WSW-ENE trending hinges and vergences towards whole mineralogy of serpentine and its textural pattern
the SSE. The splay on top of the Jbel Tifoulest anticline has is strongly reminiscent of the serpentinites studied by
a ramp geometry in the footwall cutting the Jurassic and Ribeiro da Costa et al. (2008) at the Mid-Atlantic ridge.
Berriasian–Hauterivian rocks and also the unconformable These authors concluded that antigorite replaced chrysotile
Upper Oligocene conglomerates, sandstones, and shales through dissolution-recrystallization. Such a process
upwards towards the south. In Figure 4, Upper Miocene was favoured by shearing. According to oxygen isotope

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M. VÁZQUEZ et al. Extensional metamorphism in the North-Magrebian passive margin

100Å 20Å

200Å 200Å

FIGURE 7 TEM images of serpentine minerals. A and B: Mesh texture. A) Chrysotile showing its typical coiled structure and lizardite with a
characteristic planar structure. B) Polygonal serpentine. C) Mesh rim (columnar lizardite). D) Lattice-fringe image of a (001) twinned antigorite
crystal, with corresponding selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern in the inset.

temperatures, antigorite crystallization took place at conditions expected in an extensional low-grade setting,
temperatures between 200–300ºC. We propose a similar where shale sequences are buried in a passive margin
origin, where antigorite crystallized close to the antigorite- scenario (Merriman and Frey, 1999; Merriman, 2005).
in reaction, possibly kinetically activated by deformation, According to Merriman (2005), extensional contexts
as suggested by the association of antigorite to the shear typically have assemblages of clay minerals, including
zones. K-mica, Na-K, and Na-mica, together with lower b cell
values (<9.01Ǻ). In contrast, mud-rocks evolving in
convergent settings have clay-mineral assemblages with
DISCUSSION K-white mica and chlorite, where the K-white micas have
phengitic compositions with b cell dimensions of > 9.02Å
The extensional metamorphism of the Tanger- (Merriman, 2005).
Ketama Units
K/Ar and zircon fission track ages (Azdimousa et al.,
The distribution of illite crystallinity values and 1998; 2003) indicate that the metamorphism was Cretaceous
the mineralogical assemblages in the Tanger-Ketama and prior to the known age of the compressional events in
metapelites indicate that near high anchizone conditions the Rif Belt (Cenozoic). Nevertheless, in the Jbel Tifelouest
are located in the central part of the unit (Lower Cretaceous anticline, Jurassic rocks reached deeper diagenetic
outcrops), whereas the deeper diagenetic conditions appear temperatures during 126.6±2.1Ma to 131.9±153.2Ma
in the border units, where Upper Cretaceous or Jurassic (Barremian), whereas in the central part of the Tanger-
rocks crop out. K-white mica dimensions range from Ketama Unit, Cretaceous rocks reached temperatures
8.984 to 8.999Å, indicating the nearly pure muscovitic close to high anchizone conditions from 78.0±1.2Ma to
composition of micas, typical of the low-pressure 81.6±4.0Ma (Campanian). This dichotomy in the K/Ar

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M. VÁZQUEZ et al. Extensional metamorphism in the North-Magrebian passive margin

ages between the two areas, together with the higher grade over the Oligocene conglomerates did not contribute to
reached at the latter, must be explained by an asymmetrical anchizonal metamorphism in the Ketama unit (Asebriy et
tectonic mechanism, both in geometry and time. As we al., 1992; Asebriy, 1994).
discuss below, progressive extension and the development
of asymmetric hanging-wall basins could account for the We propose a model for the basin where the Tanger-
dichotomy in the age and the diagenetic to very low-grade Ketama Unit sequence was deposited during the
metamorphic conditions in the area. These ages and the Mesozoic according to the conceptual diagram in Figure
metamorphic conditions indicate that the Hauterivian to 8. This diagram was built using the cross-section in Figure
Lower Albian rocks in the area surrounding Bni Bounsar 5 and data from Figures 2 and 4, although the lack of strain
and Jbel Zercat were at lower levels and under thicker measurements makes an accurately balanced cross-section
sediments than the Jurassic rocks of the Jbel Tifoulest area impossible. The easternmost part of the Tanger-Ketama unit
at around 80Ma. This geometry suggests that the entire (Fig. 2) is characterized by a lack of Jurassic rocks and by
sequence was tilted prior to 80Ma and, moreover, that the the presence of Lower Cretaceous rocks directly covering the
Cretaceous and younger sediments were thicker in the area Beni-Malek peridotites, whereas in the central and western
near Bni Bounsar and Jbel Zercat than in the Jbel Tifoulest. parts of the unit, the Lower Cretaceous sediments overlie
This tilting is also suggested by the fact that, towards the the Jurassic formations (Figs. 2; 4; 5). Towards the eastern
east, Jurassic marbles increase in metamorphic degree and Rif Chain, the Jurassic sediments overlie an extended
include bodies of greenschists and epidote-amphibolites in Palaeozoic basement in one of the underlying Temsamane
the Ait Amrâne klippe west of Midar (Fig. 2). units, forming the Ras Afraou unit (e.g. Negro et al., 2007;
Azdimousa et al., 2007). However, there is no evidence of
Significant extensional processes drove the exhumation rocks of a crustal basement for the Tanger-Ketama unit.
of the mantle peridotites to seafloor conditions in the The aeromagnetic data from Elazzab et al. (1997) (see
Early Cretaceous (140–145Ma) since the peridotites are Fig. 2) strongly indicate that the ultramafic rocks of the
stratigraphically overlain by Berriasian–Hauterivian rocks Beni-Malek peridotites continue below the outcrops of the
and the Tithonian carbonates form part of the pre-rift Tanger-Ketama Lower Cretaceous rocks; and also that the
sequence. Such an extensional setting could explain the ultramafics rocks have a tabular geometry at the base of the
presence of the low-temperature polymorphs of serpentine unit (Elazzab et al., 1997; Michard et al., 2007; Chalouan
(such as chrysotile, polygonal serpentine, and lizardite) et al., 2008), as has been drawn in Figure 5.
in mesh textures and antigorite in shear zones formed
from a spinel lherzolite in the Beni-Malek peridotites. The distribution of different types of basement of
Antigorite growth could occur during the low-temperature the tectonic unit and the aforementioned distribution
serpentinization or by the heating of the previously cooled of metamorphism (with a central part just under high-
peridotites by the Cretaceous sedimentary overburden. anchizone conditions bordered by diagenetic rocks) can
This last antigorite origin is supported by the low-grade be explained by a half-graben basin that was infilled by
metamorphism that affected the Jurassic marbles and Cretaceous sediments under a high geothermal gradient.
greenschists in the Ait Amrâne klippe, where low- The progressive displacement and rotation of the hanging-
temperature peak metamorphic conditions were reached wall above the extensional detachment and exhumed mantle
(<450ºC) at 80Ma (Jabaloy et al., 2012). would explain the dichotomy in the age of diagenetic
conditions and the very low-grade metamorphism in the
The presence of unconformable Oligocene detrital rocks Jurassic and Cretaceous sediments of the Tanger-Ketama
with clasts from Mesozoic rocks of the Tanger-Ketama Unit.
Unit indicates a period of exhumation and erosion of the
Mesozoic Tanger-Ketama sequence during the Oligocene. In order to explain: i) the uplift of the Beni-Malek
As these clasts include the foliations developed within the peridotitic body from spinel peridotite conditions to
Mesozoic rocks, they indicate that the compressive ductile the seafloor, ii) the contact of the ultramafic body
deformations producing S2 and S3 foliations were generated with the Lower Cretaceous sedimentary rocks, and
before the Late Oligocene. Moreover, apatite fission-track iii) the presence of mafic- and also ultramafic-derived
ages indicate that the rocks cooled below 120ºC between sandstones within the Lower Cretaceous sedimentary
14 and 17Ma, probably from Alpine mountain range rocks southeast of the Beni-Malek massif (Michard
erosion during final emplacement. Altogether, these two et al., 1992; Chalouan et al., 2008), we propose the
facts suggest a period of post-Oligocene heating that raised existence of a normal fault at the top of the ultramafic
the temperature to over 120ºC. This heating was probably body allowing the uplift of the ultramafic rocks in the
related to the thrust sheet emplacement during the Early fault footwall. The faulting of the ultramafic rocks was
to Middle Miocene (Asebriy et al., 1992; Asebriy, 1994). followed by the later erosion of the fault surface on
However, the Miocene thrusting of the upper Ketama unit the seafloor in order to produce the ultramafic-derived

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WEST EAST
A

100ºC Latest Albian

Thinned continental 200º C (post-rift sequence)

Future Tanger-
crust 300ºC

Ketama Unit
Aptian-Early Albian
(syn-rift sequence 2)
Berriasian-Hauterivian
Detachment (syn-rift sequence 1)
Upper Mantle Jurassic
(pre-rift sequence)

B
North
Atlantic

Piemont-Ligurian
Pyrenees Domain

Cameros Basin

Betics Areas with intense thinning

Central of the continental crust
Atlantic Areas with mantle exhumation
Tethys
in the sea floor
Rif Belt Areas with metamorphism or
high thermal flow at 130-100 Ma
Alkaline and/or alkaline transitional to tholeitic
magmatism from Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous

FIGURE 8 A) Conceptual model for the geometry of the Tanger-Ketama basin during Upper Cretaceous times. The subcontinental mantle (spinel
lherzolites) was covered by Cretaceous sediments, whereas the Jurassic pre-rift sequence was discontinuous. B) Location of the North African
palaeomargin and its possible relationships with the Northern Atlantic Ocean opening around 105 Ma (Middle Albian), modified from Manatschal
et al. (2006), with data from Stapel (1999), Mata et al. (2001), Jabaloy et al. (2002), Barbero and López-Garrido (2006), Terrinha et al. (2006), and
Lagabrielle and Bodinier (2008).

Figure 8
sandstones and the geometry of a nonconformity for the Lagabrielle and Bodinier, 2008; Lagabrielle et al., 2010).
top of the peridotite massif. In the eastern Pyrenees, the ultramafic rocks induced high-
temperature and low-pressure metamorphism in Triassic
The Early Cretaceous rifting of the North to Aptian–Albian sequences (T=550–650°C, P<3–4kbar;
Maghrebian passive margin: A comparison with e.g. Montigny et al., 1986; Golberg and Leyreloup, 1990).
the neighbouring peri-Iberian areas However, in the western Pyrenees, according to Fabriés
et al. (1998), the exhumation of the ultramafic rocks at
Similar extensional environments formed during shallower levels compared to the massifs of the eastern
the Cretaceous in the Atlantic and Tethyan realms in the Pyrenees, would explain the extensive hydrothermal
surrounding areas of the Iberian Peninsula between 117– alteration and serpentinization of the westernmost
92Ma (Albarède and Michard-Vitrac, 1978; Fabriés et al., Pyrenean massifs. We propose that a similar mechanism
1998; Mata et al., 2001; Lagabrielle and Bodinier, 2008). to that of the exhumed ultramafic massifs in the western
In the Pyrenees, after an initial rifting phase in the Triassic Pyrenees could also explain the emplacement of the Beni
to Late Jurassic that produced WNW-trending rift basins Malek ultramafic rocks. The major difference is that the
(Yilmaz et al., 1996), a second rifting phase took place Beni Malek peridotites probably cooled at around 300–
during the Aptian–Turonian (104–92Ma in the eastern 400ºC when they reached the seafloor because we found no
Pyrenees, Albarède and Michard-Vitrac, 1978; 117–109Ma evidence of rocks metamorphosed under higher conditions
in the western Pyrenees, Fabriés et al., 1998). than greenschist facies in the entire External Zones of the
Rif Belt. One possible explanation is that exhumation in the
The second rifting phase in the Pyrenees produced the North Maghrebian palaeomargin was slow and took a very
exhumation of spinel lherzolite massifs from upper mantle long time, thereby allowing temperatures to equilibrate
conditions to the seafloor of small Aptian–Albian basins within the peridotitic body.
(Fabriés et al., 1998; Lagabrielle and Bodinier, 2008;
Lagabrielle et al., 2010). During the exhumation, peridotites This period of time (ca. 122Ma) also corresponds to the
cooled from circa 1050ºC to 600ºC (Fabriés et al., 1998; timing of tectonic denudation and cooling of the mantle

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M. VÁZQUEZ et al. Extensional metamorphism in the North-Magrebian passive margin

beneath the west Galician margin during the continental were deposited in half-graben basins above an exhumed
break-up between Iberia and Newfoundland (Boillot et serpentinized mantle and extended Palaeozoic basement.
al., 1987; Schärer et al., 1995), and to the emplacement Our study shows a metamorphic pattern for the External
of mantle peridotites that at present are exposed on the Zones of the Rif Belt, where initial metamorphism was
seafloor in other areas near the western Tethys realm (e.g. generated during the Cretaceous related to burial within a
Discovery 215 Working Group, 1998; Reston et al., 1996; half-graben asymmetric basin, suggesting an extensional
Hölker et al., 2002; Manatschal et al., 2006), indicating setting.
that this process was not exclusive to the Pyrenean realm.
Finally, Tertiary Alpine metamorphism and deformation
Moreover, in the continental rocks of the Iberian in the Tanger-Ketama Unit were not high enough to
Peninsula, fission tracks in apatites recorded the existence overprint the Cretaceous extensional metamorphism and
of a heating period in the Early Cretaceous (e.g. Stapel, reset the K/Ar and fission-track clocks.
1999; Barbero and López-Garrido, 2006; Martín-González
et al. 2006) accompanied by the intrusion of mafic rocks
(Boillot and Malond, 1988; Féraud et al., 1988; Schärer ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
et al., 1995) and hydrothermal processes (Caballero et
al., 1992). Juez-Larré and Ter Voorde (2009) compiled We acknowledge the financial support of Research projects
thermochronological data of the Iberian Peninsula and “CSD2006-0041 “TOPO-IBERIA” (CONSOLIDER-INGENIO
determined that several heating stages during the Mesozoic program of the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Gobierno
(including one heating phase during the Early Cretaceous) de España), Excelencia Project RNM-327 (Junta de Andalucía
produced the resetting of thermochronometers with Government), AECI A/5904/06 and A/010149/07 and Research
closure temperatures of up to 200°C and the increase of Group RNM-148 of the Junta de Andalucía. We would also like
the geothermal gradient up to ~73°C/km. These facts agree to thank the Research Unit associated with CNRST (URAC 46)
with the observed apatite fission-track ages in the Tanger- Morocco, for logistical support and equipment for field work and
Ketama rocks and the increase in the geothermal gradient sampling. We would like to thank F. Nieto for his assistance in the
in the study area during the same period. interpretation of the Kübler Index and the serpentine minerals. We
In summary, the presence of exhumed spinel lherzolites would also like to thank A. Crespo-Blanc, Y. Lagabrielle, D.M.
on the seafloor accompanied by metamorphism of the Poyatos, and J.D. Barrenechea for fruitful discussions regarding
overlying sediments in a high geothermal gradient in the this work. Thanks are also given to Christine Laurin for revising
Maghrebian palaeomargin during the Aptian–Albian is a the English text.
plausible scenario that can explain both the very low-grade
metamorphism and the thermochronological ages of the
rocks of the Tanger-Ketama Unit. REFERENCES

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Manuscript received May 2011;
revision accepted November 2012;
published Online January 2013.

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