Journal of African Earth Sciences 151 (2019) 506–522

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Journal of African Earth Sciences

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jafrearsci

Structural modeling of the hidden parts of a Paleozoic belt: Insights from T

gravity and aeromagnetic data (Tadla Basin and Phosphates Plateau,
Morocco)
Abdellah Nait Bbaa,∗, Mustapha Boujamaouib, Adnen Amiric, Younes Hejjaa, Ibtissam Rezoukib,d,
Lahssen Baiddera, M.H. Inoublic, Ahmed Manare, Haddou Jabourf
a
Département de Géologie, Université Hassan II, Faculté des Sciences Aïn Chock, BP 5366, Casablanca, Morocco
b
Département de Géologie, Université Moulay Ismail, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Errachidia, BP. 509, Morocco
c
Département de Géologie, Université Tunis El Manar, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, Tunisia
d
Département de Géologie, Université Moulay Ismail, Faculté des Sciences Meknès, Morocco
e
Ministère de l’Energie, des Mines et du développement durable, Rabat, Morocco
f
Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM), Rabat, Morocco

A R T I C LE I N FO A B S T R A C T

Keywords: Gravity and aeromagnetic potential methods are proven to be adequate geophysical techniques for studying the
Gravity anomalies subsurface structure of continental basement areas hidden beneath sedimentary basin. In this study, we present
Aeromagnetic survey the study of that large part of the Moroccan Western Meseta which is hidden beneath the Phosphates Plateau and
Data filtering Tadla Basin, based on gravity and aeromagnetic data analysis and interpretation. A subsurface structural map of
Tadla basin
the study area has been established. This reference map shows how the subsurface structural lineaments deduced
Phosphates plateau
Moroccan Meseta
from the gravity and aeromagnetic data can be continued into the regional crustal-scale faults outcropping
Variscan belt around the study area in the Rehamna, Jebilet and Central Massifs. The analysis of this map reveals that: i) the
area is predominantly controlled by faults having NE and NW major trends, with E-W and N-S minor trends; ii)
these trends are associated with the main phases of deformation that the area underwent during the Variscan
Orogeny, the Triassic-Jurassic rifting, and the Atlas tectonic inversion, respectively; iii) many faults already
highlighted by previous geophysical investigations are confirmed, and some new crustal-scale structures are
revealed; iv) the subsurface continuity of the major, Variscan crustal-scale faults such as the West Meseta Shear
Zone, the Smaala-Oulmes Fault Zone and the Fkih Ben Salah Fault is evidenced, and v) the Khouribga-Oulmes
Anticlinorium appears to be bounded to the south by a newly described, NW-striking Phosphate Plateau Fault.

1. Introduction Mesozoic-Cenozoic formations (Hoepffner et al., 2005, 2006; Michard

et al., 2008, 2010). Numerous studies (Gentil, 1918; Lecointre, 1926;
Deciphering the basement structures beneath a sedimentary cover is Termier, 1936; Gigout, 1951;.Michard, 1976; Hoepffner et al., 2005,
one of the main objectives of gravity and aeromagnetic methods 2006; Michard et al., 2008, 2010) suggest that the Rehamna, Jebilet
(Blakely and Simpson, 1986; Gunn, 1997; Cooper and Cowan, 2008), and Central Massifs resulted altogether from the geodynamic evolution
which are advantageously fast and effective (Fairhead et al., 2011; of a unique Meseta Variscan Belt. In particular, the Jebilet and Azrou-
Arfaoui et al., 2015). Here these methods are used and developed in the Khenifra Basins have great tectono-sedimentary and magmatic simila-
central part of the Meseta domain of Morocco (Fig. 1). rities (Huvelin, 1970; Piqué and Michard, 1989; Roddaz et al., 2002;
The Moroccan Meseta Orogen belongs to the southern, external Bamoumen et al., 2008). Unlike these areas which are relatively well
branch of the Variscan belt to the north of the West-African Craton correlated, the junction between the Rehamna, Jebilet and Central
(Michard et al., 2010). The Meseta Orogen extends in various geo- Massifs beneath the Mesozoic-Cenozoic cover terrains of the Tadla
morphological domains, i.e., the Western and Eastern Meseta, the Basin and the Phosphates Plateau are less clear.
Middle Atlas and most of the High Atlas. The Paleozoic basement of The present study focuses on that part of the Western Meseta which
these domains crops out as isolated massifs or inliers beneath by the encompasses the Tadla Basin in the south and the Phosphates Plateau in

∗
Corresponding author.
E-mail address: [email protected] (A.N. Bba).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2018.09.007
Received 24 May 2018; Received in revised form 5 September 2018; Accepted 12 September 2018
Available online 14 September 2018
1464-343X/ © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
A.N. Bba et al. Journal of African Earth Sciences 151 (2019) 506–522

Fig. 1. Location of study area in the geological map of Atlas-Meseta domain (Michard et al., 2010).

the north (Fig. 1). There, the Mesozoic-Cenozoic formations overlie 2.2. The Variscan evolution
unconformably the Meseta Proterozoic and Paleozoic basement, which
is exposed in the surrounding Central Meseta, Rehamna and Jebilet Numerous studies focused on the Paleozoic evolution of the Western
massifs (Hoepffner et al., 2005; Michard et al., 2008, 2010). Meseta in the frame of the Variscan orogeny (Gentil, 1918; Lecointre,
Previous studies based on seismic and borehole data (Jabour and 1926; Termier, 1936; Gigout, 1951; Michard, 1976; Michard et al.,
Nakayama, 1988; Er-Raïoui et al., 2001), and gravity data (Van Den 1989, 2008, 2010; Hoepffner et al., 2005). They showed that all stra-
Bosch, 1981; Najine et al., 2006) did not yield much detail on the tigraphic systems from Cambrian to Permian are represented (Fig. 3).
hidden structures (such as the basins limits and crustal-scale faults) of The Precambrian basement crops out locally, being represented by
the Variscan basement of the Western Meseta. Moreover, these studies Paleoproterozoic rocks in the southwestern Rehamna, but more fre-
focused essentially on the Paleozoic basement of the Tadla Basin. The quently by Ediacaran granites or rhyolites (Morin, 1962; Huvelin and
present work combines gravity and aeromagnetic data in order to image Villand, 1978; Cornée et al., 1984; Corsini, 1988; Ouali et al., 2003;
the subsurface architecture of both the Tadla Basin and Phosphates Ouabid et al., 2017; El Houicha et al., 2017; Letsch et al., 2017;
Plateau. Our aim is particularly to precise the extension of the Meseta Soulaimani et al., 2018). Sedimentation occurred in the frame of the
basins with respect to the uplifted axes, and to feature more exactly the distal passive margin of the Saharan platform up to the Middle Devo-
junction between the Rehamna, Jebilet and Central Massifs. nian, and then recorded the onset of the Rheic subduction beneath the
continental margin from the Late Devonian to the Late Carboniferous
(Hoepffner et al., 2005; Michard et al., 2010).
2. Geological setting In the Tadla Basin and the Phosphates Plateau, the Paleozoic
basement is overlain by the Mesozoic-Cenozoic sedimentary cover
2.1. General (Fig. 4). Direct information comes only from scattered boreholes in this
area (Jabour and Nakayama, 1988; Verset, 1988; Er-Raïoui et al.,
The Moroccan Meseta consists of several Paleozoic massifs such as 2001). The Paleozoic stratigraphy within the Tadla wells ranges from
the Central Massif, Rehamna and Jebilet in the Western Meseta and the Ordovician to Carboniferous and consists of terrigenous deposits made
Midelt and Debdou-Mekkam massifs in the Eastern Meseta, separated of shallow-water clastics, carbonates, shales, flysch-type formations and
from each other by extended domains of tabular or folded Mesozoic- quartzose sandstones.
Cenozoic series (Fig. 1). The folded Middle Atlas separates the Western The Paleozoic of the Western Meseta was mostly deformed during
Meseta from the Eastern Meseta, whose cover series are, in contrast, the Variscan Orogeny, particularly during the Late Visean-Early
tabular (Western Meseta) or very mildly folded north of the High Atlas Westphalian stages (Hoepffner et al., 2006; Michard et al. 2008, 2010).
(Eastern Meseta). By the end of Devonian times, exactly at the limit between the Fa-
In the Western Meseta, here studied, more than a half of the mennian and the Tournaisian-Visean period an extensional or trans-
Paleozoic basement is hidden below the tabular series of the Phosphates tensional phase is recorded. This event corresponds to the opening of
plateau, made of Upper Cretaceous to Eocene marine sediments, and of the sedimentary basins of Sidi-Bettache and Azrou-Khenifra
the Tadla and Bahira Basins where thick Neogene to Quaternary con- (Bouabdelli, 1989; Hoepffner et al., 2005; Michard et al., 2008, 2010).
tinental sediments are deposited over the Mesozoic-Cenozoic sequences During that time, these basins were bounded by NE-SW transcurrents
(Fig. 2). crustal-scale faults zones (Fig. 2: SOFZ, TBBFZ and WMSZ), which
The Meseta Paleozoic sequences have been deformed and intruded might have controlled the development of sedimentary highs
by a number of granite plutons during the Variscan orogeny. The (Bouabdelli and Piqué, 1996). The Late Carboniferous compressional
Meseta massifs, together with most of the Paleozoic massifs of the Atlas events deformed the whole Meseta Domain and produced tight folds
Cenozoic belts, define the Meseta Orogen, which forms the south- associated with metamorphism and granite intrusions. These folds ex-
westward continuation of the Hercynian Orogen of Western Europe hibit NNE-SSW to NE-SW axes. The Variscan granitoids yielded ages
(e.g., Hoepffner et al., 2005; Michard et al., 2010, and references between 320 and 270 Ma (Mrini et al., 1992; El Hadi et al., 2006). The
therein). latest Variscan deformation affects the Stephanian and Permian rocks
where it is recorded by open folds, block tilting and brittle shear zones

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Fig. 2. Geological map of the study area, from geological map of Morocco scale 1/1000000 and (Michard et al., 2010).

Fig. 3. Paleozoic stratigraphy of the Moroccan Western Meseta (Michard et al., 2010, modified after Ouanaimi et al., 2018; in progress).

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Fig. 4. Lithology of wells KAT-2 and KMS-1.

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generated under a compressive regime, firstly oriented E-W then NW-SE Tadla Basin, the Quaternary deposits (100–400 m) are represented by
to N-S (Saidi et al., 2002; Saber et al., 2007). fluvio-lacustrine sediments with polygenetic conglomerates, pink
marls, limestones, and calcareous sandstones (Verset, 1988).
The Alpine tectonic evolution began with the Late Triassic to Early
2.3. The Alpine evolution Jurassic continental rifting phase of the Meseta basement (Medina
et al., 2001; El Arabi et al., 2006; Hafid, 2006; Frizon de Lamotte et al.,
The Mesozoic series start with Triassic and Liassic sequences, un- 2008). The rift system was associated with the opening of the Central
comfortably resting onto the Variscan basement. The Triassic se- Atlantic and the western Tethys. The synrift sequence is capped by the
quences, penetrated by borehole TAN-101 in the Bahira Basin (Hafid, basalts of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP) that yielded
2006), KMS1 (Fig. 4) and DRZ1 in the Tadla Basin (Frizon de Lamotte isotopic ages of about 200 Ma (Knight et al., 2004; Verati et al., 2007;
et al., 2008), consist of basalts, salt, red and grey shales and evaporites. Dal Corso et al., 2014). In Late Triassic-Early Cretaceous times, NW-SE
The Liassic sequences crop out extensively in the Middle and High Atlas to NE-SW extension occurred in relation with the opening of the Atlasic
and consist mainly of limestones and dolomites. The Upper Jurassic to and Atlantic rifts. In Late Cretaceous-Paleocene, an E-W to WNW-ESE
Lower Cretaceous is missing in the Western Meseta where Upper Cre- compression took place, resulting in strike-slip faults in the Atlas
taceous beds are in direct contact with the Liassic, the Triassic or the Mountains (Aït Brahim et al., 2002; Frizon de Lamotte et al., 2008;
Paleozoic rocks (Fig. 2) (Gouiza et al., 2010). During Triassic and Fekkak et al., 2018). The counterclockwise rotation of the African Plate
Liassic times, the Western Meseta and the Paleozoic massif of the and the convergence between European and African plates during the
Western High Atlas were part of the Western Moroccan Arch (WMA). late Cretaceous induced the onset of a compressional phase associated
This area was formerly regarded as an emerged land during the Triassic with the beginning of the Alpine Cycle (Rosenbaum et al., 2002; Ellouz
and Jurassic times. However, recent thermochronologic data show that et al., 2003). During the Middle-Late Eocene, the first significant
this zone was moderately subsiding during the Late Triassic-early Jur- compressional event resulted in the inversion of the faults inherited
assic, and that the corresponding deposits were subsequently eroded from the Triassic-Jurassic rifting along both sides of the Middle and
(Ghorbal et al., 2008; Saddiqi et al., 2009; Gouiza et al., 2010). High Atlas (Frizon de Lamotte et al., 2008). After the deposition of the
The Cretaceous sedimentary sequences begin with subaerial red Neogene molasses, a second generalized compressional event was re-
beds with scarce marine marls dated from the Early Cretaceous and sponsible for a widening of the inverted zone (Frizon de Lamotte et al.,
composed of marls, marly dolomite, dolomitic limestone and anhydrite 2009), that now included the Jebilet range uplifted along the North-
(Verset, 1988), overlain by marly limestones and dolomites dated as Jebilet Fault (Fig. 2) (Hafid et al., 2006; Missenard et al., 2007).
Cenomanian-Turonian and indicating a global transgression that in-
vaded the whole Atlas domain (Ettachfini et al., 2005). The Turonian
limestone is overlain by the regressive Senonian beds that consist of 3. Datasets and methodology
limestone, dolomitic limestone and marls with anhydrite intercalations
(Fig. 5B). The phosphorite sequence is reached by boreholes in Tadla 3.1. Geophysical data
Basin; it is made up of phosphatic limestones, marls, sandstones and
clay with intercalations of bituminous clay (Fig. 4). This remarkable The available gravity data belong to two surveys; the first one to-
sequence is well studied in the Phosphates Plateau where it starts with taling 3312 gravity measurements was conducted in 1962 by the North
the Maastrichtian phosphatic marls overlain by the Thanetian-lower- African Geophysical Exploration Company (CPGNA) for the benefit of
most Ypresian that consists of marly limestone made of coprolites and the Moroccan Ministry of Mines and Energy (Van Den Bosch, 1981).
silex nodules. The sequence is topped by the Lutetian dolomitic lime- These data were completed by another survey summing 11550 gravity
stone (Fig. 6). The Neogene of the Tadla Basin is represented by con- stations carried out in 1985 by the National Bureau of Petroleum and
tinental sediments made of molasses, which unconformably cover the Mines (ONHYM). Lacoste-Romberg gravimeters were used, allowing a
deformed Mesozoic formations (Frizon de Lamotte et al., 2009). In the 0.01 mGal resolution. Both campaigns were available through an

Fig. 5. Geological section of the Phosphates and Settat Plateau (A) (Michard, 1976) and Tadla Basin and Phosphates Plateau (B) (Bouchaou, 1995).

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A.N. Bba et al. Journal of African Earth Sciences 151 (2019) 506–522

Fig. 6. The condensed phosphate series of the Phosphates Plateau (Gharbi, 1998).

anomaly map computed using a reduction density of 2.67 g/cm3. interpretation. These techniques accentuate the characteristics of the
The available aeromagnetic data were obtained from the Moroccan gravity and aeromagnetic data. The gravity residual anomaly map and
Ministry of Mines and Energy; they cover the area between the Central Reduced to Pole residual aeromagnetic intensity map (RTP) of the study
Massif, Atlantic Ocean and High Atlas, and were acquired in 1971 by area were subject to various recent edge techniques based on gravity
the African Geophysical Company at a nominal height flight of 1400 m. and magnetic signal such as horizontal gradient, theta map, tilt angle,
The NW directed flight lines were acquired using a line spacing ranging and Euler deconvolution.
from 3000 to 6000 m. The perpendicular traverses Tie-lines were rea- The total horizontal derivative (Cordell, 1979; Cordell and Grauch,
lized with a line spacing of 8000 m. The analyzed residual magnetic 1985; Ma and Li, 2012), and the theta map method (Wijns et al., 2005)
anomaly data is computed using the 1975 International Geomagnetic proved to be effective edge detection techniques for delineating sub-
Reference Field (IGRF) model. surface structures. The Euler deconvolution was employed to approach
depths of the sources (Keating, 1998; Reid et al., 1990). The tilt angle
3.2. Methodology method is a well-adapted technique for subsurface structural inter-
pretation (Miller and Singh, 1994; Verduzco et al., 2004).
Key field transformations methods were performed in order to The inflection of the slope is located at the contact position. This
simplify and to facilitate the gravity/aeromagnetic structural enables to locate abrupt lateral changes of density or magnetic

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A.N. Bba et al. Journal of African Earth Sciences 151 (2019) 506–522

susceptibility (Cordell and Grauch, 1985; Phillips, 1988) and can be shows a main strong southeast-northwest regional gradient. Values are
used in mapping the maximum of the horizontal gradient of the spread between-90 mGal and 20 mGal. This gradual decrease is mainly
gravity/magnetic field. The total horizontal derivative from gravity caused by the thickness increase of the Mesozoic Cenozoic sediments
data has been intensively used as a tool of detecting linear structure toward the High Atlas border, as indicated by geological section
such as faults and subsurface discontinuities (Cordell and Grauch, 1985; (Fig. 5B)., and testified by the boreholes in Tadla Basin (Verset, 1988).
Jaffal et al., 2010; El Gout et al., 2010; Amiri et al., 2011; Hamdi-Nasr
et al., 2011; Sarsar-Naouali et al., 2011; Dufréchou et al., 2013; Arfaoui
et al., 2015). 4.1.2. Residual anomaly map
The maxima of the Theta map correspond to the boundaries of the The Bouguer gravity anomaly is the combined responses of the
causatives sources (Wijns et al., 2005; Cooper and Cowan, 2008). Euler various masses lying below the ground surface. Its separation into re-
deconvolution is a powerful tool for gravity and magnetic source depth sidual (effects from shallow sources) and regional (effects from deep
analysis and interpretation (Nabighian, 1972; Thompson, 1982; Reid sources) is a major step in the interpretation of gravity data (Blakely,
et al., 1990). This method proved to be very powerful for detecting 1995).
fault, geological contacts and other subsurface structural elements. The The previously observed gradient was modeled using a first order
apparent depth of a causative source is derived from the homogeneity polynomial regression. This is, subsequently, subtracted from the
of the Euler equation (Thompson, 1982). The reliability of the decon- complete Bouguer anomaly. The obtained residual gravity map high-
volved results depends on the choice of the structural index, the lights clearly individual gravity anomalies (Fig. 8). This map helps
window size, and the tolerance (Reid et al., 2012). These parameters explaining each anomaly in terms of its possible corresponding causa-
have to be critically selected, in order to obtain reasonable solutions. tive source. The map shows a number of gravity anomalies, with
In this study, all gravity and aeromagnetic maps were generated varying wave-lengths and amplitudes (Fig. 8). It outlines clearly 9
using Geosoft-Oasis software. The anomaly maps were gridded using gravity minima (N1 to N9) and 6 maxima (P1 to P6).
the minimum curvature algorithm (Briggs, 1974). The qualitative interpretation of these anomalies is conducted on
the basis of the available surface geology and the published structural
maps.
4. Subsurface modeling The positive anomalies P1, P2, P3 and P4 exhibit high amplitudes (6
mGal to 12 mGal) that coincide, respectively, with the outcropping
4.1. Gravity data denser Paleozoic rocks in the uplifted areas of the Rehamna to the west,
the Jebilet area to the southwest, and the Central Massif to the north
4.1.1. Bouguer anomaly map and north-east of the study area.
The Bouguer gravity anomaly map is helpful tool used to investigate The positive anomaly P5, located in the central part of the map, is
subsurface geology and structures of the sedimentary basin with a thick characterized by its relatively low amplitude (3 and 5 mGal); it su-
sedimentary cover (Blakely and Simpson, 1986); it has been used also perimposed on the Ben Ahmed-Khouribga Plateau.
to better investigate the subsurface structural framework. P6 would be produced by the southward extension of the Azrou-
The observed complete Bouguer gravity anomalies reflect the het- Khenifra Basin under the Quaternary deposits of Tadla Basin.
erogeneity in the density distribution beneath the topographic surface. The negative anomaly N1 corresponds to a low NE-SW elongated
The Bouguer anomaly of the Tadla Basin and Phosphate Plateau (Fig. 7) gravity anomaly. It fits perfectly with the Berrechid Basin, which is

Fig. 7. Bouguer anomaly map of the Tadla Basin and Phosphates Plateau (reduction density: 2.67 g/cm3).

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A.N. Bba et al. Journal of African Earth Sciences 151 (2019) 506–522

Fig. 8. Residual anomaly map of the Tadla Basin and Phosphates Plateau (Pn: positive gravity anomalies; Nn: negative gravity anomalies).

filled with Quaternary sediments. The transition between the Ben interpretation, and an understanding of the magnetic patterns it shows
Ahmed-khouribga Plateau and the Berrechid Basin appears to be con- in term of their possible causative geological bodies.
trolled by a linear north-easterly directed high gradient. Though, the map is mostly occupied by a NE-SW trending strong
In the southeastern part of the map, the negative gravity anomaly positive magnetic anomaly (P1), the northeastern part of the map ex-
N5 with a NE-SW elongation is due to the Tadla Basin. Thick Mio-Plio- hibits other short-wavelength (high wave number) magnetic anomalies,
Quaternary deposits cover this area. whose intensity varies from −23.9–45 nT (Fig. 10). This is probably
The smaller size negative anomalies N2, N3 and N4 with circular due to the Tadla Carboniferous sub-basin which corresponds to the SW
forms correspond respectively to the hidden granitic plutons of Oued extension of the Azrou-Khenifra Basin under the Quaternary deposits.
Zem, El Borouj and Beni Mellal (Van Den Bosch, 1981). The southern parts of the map area reveal an E-W positive magnetic
As the surface tertiary series cannot explain anomalies N8 and N9, anomaly (P3) with a magnetic intensity ranging from 1 to 45 nT
this suggests the presence of deeper causative bodies with lower ne- (Fig. 10). This magnetic anomaly may be caused by a major south-
gative density contrast with respect to the surrounding basement rocks. dipping reverse fault that thrusts the Jebilet Massif to the north on the
Except for the reduced extension of N9, These negative anomalies have southern margin of the Bahira Basin (Hafid et al., 2006).
the same characteristics as those of the negative anomalies; N2, N3 and The Rehamna Massif at the western part of the study area is un-
N4; they are very likely caused by hidden granitic bodies. derlain by metamorphic Paleozoic rocks. This massif is predominantly
The negative anomalies N6 and N7 that trend NE-SW and E-W, re- characterized by a short wavelength (high wave number), very high
spectively, are probably caused by the Mio-Plio-Quaternary sedimen- amplitude magnetic anomaly (P4), that ranges between 1 and 45 nT
tary thickening of the Bahira Basin. (Fig. 10).
The western part of the study area is characterized by the presence
of the West Meseta Shear Zone which separates the Coastal Block from
4.2. Aeromagnetic data
the Central Zone (Fig. 2). This portion displays a complicated aero-
magnetic anomaly pattern (P5), with a large variation in the magnetic
The residual total magnetic field of the Tadla Basin and Phosphates
intensities expressed by amplitudes ranging from −140 to 45 nT
Plateau show numerous types of magnetic anomalies which are variable
(Fig. 10). Peak metamorphism occurred along the WMSZ (Piqué et al.,
in shape and magnetic intensity (Fig. 9), with different geological sig-
1980; Michard et al., 2008).
nificances. In order to locate the anomalies directly above the corre-
The southeastern part of the study area is generally dominated by
sponding geological bodies and to reduce the effect of magnetic var-
aeromagnetic anomaly highs (P6), with several moderate to high am-
iations caused by the dipole magnetic field; the first step in the
plitude values ranging between −33 and 46 nT (Fig. 10). These high
interpretation of the aeromagnetic data is to reduce to pole the residual
magnetic anomalies are very likely due to the thick Triassic basalt
aeromagnetic map of the study area (Baranov, 1957).
which is penetrated at different depths by some boreholes implanted in
The residual aeromagnetic anomaly map was reduced to pole (RTP)
this zone.
using an inclination of 45.95° and declination of −7.55°. The anomalies
The Ben Ahmed-Khouribga-Oued Zem Plateau occupies the north-
within the RTP magnetic map will be directly located above the source.
central parts of the study area. Its exhibit differently trending, negative,
The reduced residual aeromagnetic map exhibits many positive and
short wavelength magnetic anomalies with intensities varying
negative magnetic anomalies (Fig. 10). The superposition of this map
from −33 to −127 nT and indicated in the Map as a compounded
with the geological map of the study area allows a qualitative

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Fig. 9. Residual aeromagnetic anomaly map of the Tadla Basin and Phosphates Plateau.

anomaly N1. 4.3. Detection of edges

4.3.1. Horizontal gradient analysis

4.3.1.1. Gravity analysis. The horizontal gravity gradient was used to
locate the boundaries of density contrasts from gravity data (Blakely,

Fig. 10. Reduced to magnetic pole residual magnetic field of the study area (Pn: positive magnetic anomalies; Nn: negative magnetic anomalies).

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Fig. 11. Horizontal gravity gradient map of the study area (black lineaments correspond to discontinuities of density).

1995; Fedi and Florio, 2001). The usefulness of this technique is to Bahira and Tadla Basins.
image the major structural boundaries, which are sometimes poorly It is worthy to notice the presence of circular forms to the west of
exposed or completely buried (Sharpton et al., 1987). Oued Zem, north of El Borouj, east of Mechra Ben Abbou, and near Beni
The horizontal gradient map (Fig. 11) highlights a number of Mellal. These circular forms may be related to the border of hidden
gravity lineaments, expressed by magnitude maxima trending in NE- granitic plutons. Under the Tadla Basin, subsurface NE-SW, NW-SE and
SW, NW-SE, E-W and N-S directions. NE-SW and E-W directed linea- E-W directed fault systems were identified. The western boundary of
ments represent the major structural trends. Below is a description of Tadla Basin is marked by NW-SE trending lineaments (Hsissou, 1991).
these gravity lineaments. However, statistically, the majority of the detected lineaments trend in
The interpreted structural trends are then correlated with the ob- NE to NNE and E-W directions.
served fault systems mapped in the Rehamna (Piqué et al., 1980;
Hoepffner et al., 2005; Michard et al., 2010), Jebilet (Lagarde and 4.3.1.2. Magnetic analysis. The total horizontal derivative of the RTP
Choukroune, 1982; Essaifi et al., 2001; Hafid et al., 2006), and Central data was used to delineate subsurface lineaments and lithological
Massifs (Hoepffner et al., 2005, Michard et al., 1989, 2008). contacts (Phillips, 1988). Local maxima that form linear and curved
The pluri-kilometric fault network made of the NE directed Fkih Ben ridges mark magnetic property contrasts in the subsurface.
Salah Fault (FBSF) (L1 in Fig. 11) and El Borouj-Kasba Tadla E-W di- The aeromagnetic total horizontal derivative shows that the studied
rected fault (BKTF) (L2 in Fig. 11) subdivide the study area into two area is affected by different lineaments characterized by a high mag-
distinct domains: the Phosphates Plateau to the north and the subsiding netic susceptibility contrast (Fig. 12). This map shows that the majority
Tadla Basin in the south (Fig. 11). This lineament system is expressed of highlighted lineaments fit perfectly with those depicted by gravity
by seismic data (Jabour and Nakayama, 1988; Er-Raïoui et al., 2001), data.
and seems to be a crustal-scale fault. Analysis of these aeromagnetic lineaments shows that the Tadla
The northwestern part of the study area is dominated by NE-di- Basin and Phosphates Plateau subsurface structure is well affected by
rected faults. One of these lineaments (L3 in Fig. 11) corresponds most four families of lineaments that trend in NE-SW, NW-SE, E-W and N-S
probably to the limit between the Phosphates Plateau and Berrechid directions (Fig. 12).
Basin. This limit is considered as superimposed on and inherited from One interesting result of this technique is a strong NW-SE trending
the West Meseta Shear Zone (WMSZ) outcropping further to the north lineament, which dissects the Phosphates Plateau into a northern part
and to the south along the Coastal Block. and southern part which we have named the Phosphates Plateau Fault
The southern part of the Khouribga Plateau shows the presence of a (PPF) (Fig. 12). This magnetic lineament, which has not been reported
low scale, N-S trending lineament, whereas almost no alignment is in previous gravity studies, is now clearly evidenced by the magnetic
detected in the Ben Ahmed-Khouribga Plateau. horizontal total derivative in a direction parallel to the Settat Fault (SF
The E-W trend is well expressed and observed at various scales in in Fig. 2). The NW-SE trending Settat Fault is documented by geological
the whole area. This trend is characterized by high to medium ampli- mapping nearby the city of Settat in the Coastal Block is more than
tude, but it extends at a medium scale. 10 km in length, whereas the PPF is about five times as long. Clusters of
In the southern part of the map, the Jebilet Massif is delimited to the positive magnetic anomalies to the west of Beni Mellal and to the north
north by two lineaments trending WSW-ENE to E-W and N-S. The E-W of El Borouj and Oued Zem reflect the occurrence of hidden granitic
lineament corresponds to the North Jebilet reverse fault system (Hafid bodies. The structural directions NE-SW and NW-SE are the two major
et al., 2006). The N-S trending lineament marks the limit between the sets of extracted lineaments (Fig. 12). The E-W and N-S directions are

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Fig. 12. Horizontal total derivative of aeromagnetic anomaly of the study area (black lineaments correspond to discontinuities of magnetic susceptibility).

qualified as minor trends detected by the magnetic total horizontal evidenced by the horizontal gradient, the theta map was calculated
derivative. through a normalization of the Total Horizontal derivative by the
Analytic signal. This filter represents an effective tool to delineate the
model edge (Wijns et al., 2005).
4.3.2. Edge intensification analysis
The results by the theta map (Fig. 13) generally show the same
4.3.2.1. Theta map. In order to further highlight the gravity lineaments

Fig. 13. Theta map of the study area of the Tadla Basin and Phosphates Plateau (black lineaments correspond to discontinuities of density).

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Fig. 14. Tilt derivative of the magnetic data of the study area (black lines show close to zero contour of tilt derivative).

gravity alignments already expressed by the total horizontal derivative support the previously obtained results.
(Fig. 11). The Euler deconvolution equation has been solved applying struc-
The theta map reveals E-W, NW-SE and N-S directed gravity linea- tural index equal to zero; this value relates to lineaments or contacts
ments which reflect the structural architecture of the study area (Reid et al., 1990; Fitzgerald et al., 2004). A window size of 10*10 cells
(Fig. 13). and a maximum relative error of 15% results on the less dispersed so-
The NE direction stills is the dominant structural trend. This di- lutions.
rection characterizes the regional crustal-scale faults modeled as the The Euler solutions (Fig. 15) confirm the previously deducted faults
Variscan structural unit, and it can be considered as an expression of the from horizontal gradient and theta map. Depth ranges from 0 to more
tilted block borders. than 1500 m, but statistically, it ranges from 500 to 1000 m for the
majority of the faults (Fig. 15). The Tadla Basin and Phosphates Plateau
4.3.2.2. Tilt derivative. In order to better interpret the edges of various are separated by the NE-SW trending FBSF (L1 in Fig. 15) whose depth
magnetic bodies, we have applied the tilt angle derivatives method ranges between 500 and 1500 m.
(Miller and Singh, 1994; Verduzco et al., 2004) to the RTP map of the The Berrechid Basin is affected by three parallel lineaments trending
study area and we compared the results obtained from the zero NE-SW whose depth is estimated to vary from 500 to more than
contours of the tilt derivative with the magnetic total horizontal 1500 m. The Jebilet Massif is bounded from the north by an important
derivative results. 500–1500 m deep lineament that practically coincides with the North
The tilt angle map of the study area shows some details that reflect Jebilet fault (Hafid et al., 2006). The northeastern part of the Rehamna
its structural complexity (Fig. 14). The zero contour line coincides with Massif is marked by two alignments directed NE-SW and E-W with a
the contour of the causative magnetic sources. depth ranging between 500 and 1000 m. However, contrary to the total
The zero contours of tilt angle fit perfectly with the results high- horizontal derivative and theta map results, the Euler solutions indicate
lighted above by the horizontal total derivative magnetic gradient that the northwestern part of Phosphates Plateau (Ben Ahmed-Khour-
(Fig. 13). The tilt angle map shows the NW-SE PPF subdividing the ibga Plateau) is affected by NW-SE, NE-SW and NNW-SSE trending
Phosphates Plateau into its northern and southern parts. The N-S, E-W lineaments with depths ranging from 500 to 1000 m.
and NE-SW directions are also highlighted by this method. The tilt In the Tadla Basin, the Euler deconvolution shows the presence of
derivative results prove the dominance of two principal NE-SW and deep faults; the Euler solutions are mainly clustered into NE-SW and E-
NW-SE directions both in the Tadla Basin and in the Phosphates Pla- W fault trends, and minor NW-SE trends.
teau. Additionally, the presence of circular alignments is observed,
especially near Oued Zem, El Borouj, Est of Mechra Ben Abbou and Beni
Mellal. These circular forms are also observed in the residual gravity
4.4. Euler deconvolution
map (Fig. 8) and in the total horizontal derivative (Fig. 11). They may
be related to the presence of hidden granitic bodies.
The Euler deconvolution technique is proved to be an effective aid
Statistically, the NE-SW and NW-SE oriented faults dominate com-
for interpreting gridded data. It provides an estimation of the location
pared to N-S and E-W orientations and may coincide with the borders of
and the depth of source. The most useful results of Euler deconvolution
tilted block.
are the delineation of trends and depths. This technique is applied in
order to characterize the main subsurface faults. The outcomes would

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Fig. 15. Euler solution of the gravity data (SI = 0, W: 10; T: 15%).

5. Discussion 5.1. Structural features of the Tadla Basin and the Phosphates Plateau

In the present study, gravity modeling validated by aeromagnetic The structural map of the Tadla Basin and Phosphates Plateau
interpretation helped us to map the subsurface structures of the Tadla (Fig. 16) is elaborated based on the filtering and processing of gravity
Basin and the Phosphates Plateau. The comparison of the above results and aeromagnetic data. This is done by combining various recent edge
with field data from the Paleozoic outcrops bordering the study area detection techniques such as: the horizontal gradient, the theta map,
allowed us to discuss the major structural features that characterize this the Euler deconvolution and the tilt derivative to the gravity residual
area and their extension into the neighbouring Rehamna, Jebilet and anomaly map and to the reduced to pole residual aeromagnetic in-
Central Massifs. tensity map (RTP) of the study. This structural map shows that the
subsurface geometry of the study area is configured by many faults,

Fig. 16. Proposed structural map of the Variscan Western Meseta.

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A.N. Bba et al. Journal of African Earth Sciences 151 (2019) 506–522

Fig. 17. Rose diagrams of geological faults (A) and extracted gravity and aeromagnetic lineaments (B).

which trend in different directions and are of varying importance. the Jebilet Massif. This master fault is a regional E-W trending
Comparison of the rose-diagram of these gravity and aeromagnetic south-dipping reverse fault interpreted as related to the Alpine
based faults (Fig. 17A) with the rose-diagram of faults mapped from the uplift of the Jebilet Massif (Hafid et al., 2006). In this area, the E-W
outcrops surrounding the study area (Fig. 17B) shows a great similarity trending BKTF truncates the NE trending faults such us the FBSF
in the main trends of both subsurface and surface faults. These main and the SOFZ (Fig. 16).
trends are: NE-SW, NW-SE and E-W.
These fault systems are interpreted as the consequence of NW-SE
i) The NE trend is well expressed on all previous gravity and aero- Neogene and the N-S Quaternary compressional events of the Atlas
magnetic treatment. This trend is the predominant tectonic trend of orogeny that resulted from the relative convergence between the
the faults affecting the investigated area, and it can be interpreted as African and Eurasian plates (Morel et al., 2000; Aït Brahim et al., 2002;
the subsurface equivalent of the main major surface faults, pre- Fekkak et al., 2018).
viously documented and mapped in the Western Meseta (Fig. 16). A recent study of the Plio-Quaternary paleostresses in the Coastal
Examples of these surface major faults are the WMSZ (Piqué et al., block between Rabat and Casablanca (Chabli et al., 2014) showed that
1980; Michard et al., 1989, 2008; Hoepffner et al., 2005) and the this area was deformed during this period by three main compressional
SOFZ (Cailleux, 1978; Tahiri, 1991). The FBSF mapped from seismic events trending in the following directions: (i) ENE-WSW to ESE-WNW
data under the sedimentary cover of the Tadla Basin and Phosphates (ii) NNW-SSE to NE-SW and (iii) NNE-SSW. These tectonic events are
Plateau (Jabour and Nakayama, 1988; Er-Raïoui et al., 2001) is a caused by the NW-SE oriented Eurasian-African plate convergence in
subsurface example of this northeasterly trend. the western Mediterranean and the related escape toward the SW of the
Rif Cordillera.
In the Western Meseta, the WMSZ, the SOFZ and the TBBFZ are It is worth noting that most NE-SW Variscan structures as WMSZ,
responsible for the compartmentalization of the Western Meseta into SOFZ and FBSF of the Western Meseta were more or less reactivated as
different structural blocks (Bouabdelli and Piqué, 1996). These blocks normal fault in response to the NW-SE extension during the Triassic-
are expressed in the basement as uplifted blocks and downwarped ba- Liassic rifting (Aït Brahim et al., 2002; Frizon de Lamotte et al., 2009).
sins separated by NE-SW crustal-scale faults (Bamoumen et al., 2008; The NW-SE faults such as the SF acted at this time as transverse faults
Michard et al., 2010). (El Gasmi et al., 2014). According to numerous apatite fission track
studies, the faults described above were again activated during the E-W
ii) The NW-SE trending lineaments that are dominant in the Jurassic-Early Cretaceous and Cenozoic uplifts events (Ghorbal et al.,
Phosphates Plateau are well observed in both the tilt derivative and 2008; Saddiqi et al., 2009; Gouiza et al., 2010).
the total horizontal derivative magnetic maps (Figs. 12 and 14).
They are parallel or nearly parallel to the Settat fault documented by
geological mapping in the Coastal block (Fig. 16), and could be 5.2. Larger scale structural mapping
related to the Central Atlantic rifting during the Triassic-Jurassic
(Laville and Piqué, 1991). The subsurface structural map that we obtained from interpreting
gravity and aeromagnetic data and the surface geological map estab-
This direction is well documented in the Coastal Meseta, especially lished in the surrounding Paleozoic Massifs of the Western Meseta
between Rabat and Casablanca, where the rivers follow NW-SE trending (Rehamna, Jebilet and Central Massifs) fits well as far as the main
faults and flexures (Beonoit et al., 1992). Variscan faults are concerned (Fig. 16). This allows us to easily tracing
the continuity of the main crustal-scale faults zones mapped in the
iii) The E-W trending faults are noticeably absent in the Phosphates surface under the sedimentary pile of Tadla Basin and Phosphates
Plateau; they rather characterize the southern boundaries of the Plateau.
Tadla-Bahira Basins where the Neogene and Quaternary formations The Coastal block is limited eastwards by the WMSZ (Michard et al.,
were deposited along the High Atlas and Jebilet mountains. They 1989; Hoepffner et al., 2005), its extension is easily identified by the
include the North-Jebilet Fault that separates the Bahira Basin and previous filters. To the north, the eastern border of the block is marked
by an important fault; that constitutes the limit between the Berrechid

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Basin, which is characterized by a NE-SW elongated low density allowed us to establish a new structural map of the Western Meseta
anomaly (N1) in the residual anomaly map (Fig. 8), and the Ben Variscan Belt. This map illustrates the complex tectonic configuration
Ahmed-Khouribga Plateau. In the Rehamna Massif, the continuity of the and architecture of the area and suggests that tectonic evolution in-
WMSZ is marked by the MF (Michard et al., 2010) (Fig. 16). The volved three dominant families of faults trending NE-SW, NW-SE and E-
Cherrat Fault Zone (CFZ) might extend through an N-S fault under the W, most of them active from the Cambrian onward.
Phosphates Plateau sedimentary cover where it is interrupted by the The subsurface map of the Tadla Basin and Phosphates Plateau was
strong, NW-SE striking PPF (Fig. 16). established using an innovative methodology that consists of three
The SOFZ separate two subzones; the Western Central Meseta and important steps:
the Eastern Central Meseta. Gravity and aeromagnetic evidence con-
firms its extension below the sedimentary deposits of the study area and i) The main gravity lineaments which dissect the study area were
its interruption by the Oued Zem and El Borouj hidden granitic plutons. highlighted using the total horizontal derivative, theta map and
In the Rehamna massif this master fault joint the Ouled Ougad Normal Euler deconvolution.
fault (OOF) limiting the Eastern Rehamna and the El Mesrane thrust ii) The magnetic total horizontal derivative and tilt angle edge tech-
(Fig. 16). niques were used to address the main magnetic trend and to con-
The NE-SW trending FBSF marks the limit between the Tadla Basin firm the results obtained by gravity data.
in the south and the Phosphates Plateau in the north (Fig. 16). In the iii) The correlation of the obtained geophysical lineaments with the
southwestern part of the study area, this fault changes its strike from geological lineaments mapped in the surrounding Paleozoic out-
NE-SW to NNE-SSW and meet the North Jebilet Fault, defining the limit crops of the Western Meseta massifs. This methodology allowed us
between the Jebilet Massif and the Bahira Basin (Fig. 16). The FSBF to define the extension of the main surface structural zones into the
extends southwestward into the Jebilet Massif in the form of the out- subsurface under the sedimentary cover of the Tadla Basin and the
cropping Hercynian fault here labeled the Oulad Ouslem Fault (OOuF) Phosphates Plateau and thus define the correlations between the
(Fig. 16). Likewise, in the northeast part of the study area, the sub- Jebilet, the Rehamna and the Central Massifs. The main Variscan
surface FBSF extends northeastwardly into a major fault that we have crustal-scale fault zones such as the WMSZ, SOFZ and FBSF were
named the Zaian Fault (ZF) in the southwest part of the Central Massif more or less reactivated during the Alpine cycle. They appear to be
(Fig. 16). disrupted in the Tadla Basin by the E-W trending Alpine faults such
The FBSF, which was seismically defined by Jabour and Nakayama as the BKTF.
(1988) and Er-Raïoui et al. (2001), is well expressed by gravity and
magnetic fields. The FBSF segments split the Tadla Basin into quadratic The present study proves that the approach based on combining the
sub-basins. The identified fault system is hidden by the sedimentary interpretations of gravity and aeromagnetic data is a powerful tool in
cover of the Tadla Basin and Phosphates Plateau (Fig. 16). The FBSF is the elaboration of subsurface structural maps of the basement in areas
roughly parallel to the SOFZ, and appears to be disrupted by the E-W with a 200–1500 m thick sedimentary cover such as the Tadla Basin and
trending fault. Phosphates Plateau.
It is noticeable that the putative extension of some outcropping
faults under the sedimentary pile of the prospected area has not de- Acknowledgements
tected. This concerns the Kaf Tallal Fault Zone (KTFZ), the Aguelmous
Fault Zone (AFZ), the Tizi n’Tretten Fault (TTF) in the Central Massif The authors wish to thank the National Bureau of Petroleum and
and the Ouled Zednes Fault (OZF) in the Rehamna Massif (Fig. 16) and Mines (ONHYM) and the Geophysical Service of the Ministry of Energy,
may be due to too weak density/magnetic susceptibility contrasts be- Mines and Sustainable Development of Morocco for providing the
tween the adjacent blocks. geophysical data.
Based on lithostratigraphic correlations and tectono-sedimentary The authors wish also to thank Pr. Mohamad Hafid (Ibn Tofail
and magmatic evolution similarities, Bamoumen et al. (2008) proposed University-Morocco) and Pr. André Michard (Paris-Sud University) for
a model for the opening of the Visean basins of Eastern Jebilet and having accepted to review this work and for their important suggestions
Eastern Central (Azrou-Khenifra). Comparison of their model with our and comments that greatly improved the quality of the manuscript.
gravity and aeromagnetic-based structural map of the Tadla Basin and
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