Sedimentological and Lithostratigraphic Study of the Senonian Series in Timstiguite Region, Central High Atals, Morocco

Abstract

In this paper, we present the sedimentological, stratigraphic and paleogeographic aspect of the Upper Cretaceous red formations (Senonian series) of Timstiguite region (Central High Atlas of Morocco). The formations were measured bed by bed and sampled in a very detailed way. An exoscopic analysis of the quartz grains was carried out by a systematic prospecting of the grains relief and theirs surface characteristic, this led us to characterize their origin and consequently to determine the different paleoenvironnements. The clay sediments of these formations seem to be a favorable prospect in point of view: evolution of the clay and non-clay sediments in this central basin of the High Atlas will depend mainly on the conjugation of tectonic, eustatic, climatic and other influences. The senonian thickness is more important than other sub basins (Albban and Imider) where it shows a very reduced thickness. The Senonian of Timstiguite corresponds to a succession of detrital and evaporitic carbonate facies, which confirms a coastal depositional environment with passages of some periods of marine emersions.