Lithostructural analysis and implications for mineralization and paleogeography of the basic series formations of the Ait Abdellah buttonhole, Western Anti-Atlas

Abstract

Located in the Western Anti-Atlas, the Aït Abdallah buttonhole is a noteworthy Hercynian submeridian uplift with significant geological importance. It plays a key role in the regional geology by uplifting the Proterozoic basement beneath a detrital cover of fini-Precambrian and Adoudounian carbonate rocks. The basic series, which constitutes a fundamental component of this study, marks the onset of the Adoudounian transgression that extends from northwest to southeast, covering a large portion of the Western Anti-Atlas. Resting unconformably upon the basement, this series is characterized by a distinctive marker bed. The successive layers of the basic series primarily consist of alternating siltites and sandstone. These formations play a crucial role in hosting the majority of the copper mineralizations found in the Western Anti-Atlas. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the paleogeography of these formations and understand the associated type of mineralization. This will be achieved through a comprehensive lithostructural approach, which will involve the analysis of different layers within the basic series, their lithological characteristics, and structural organization. By combining lithostructural data with paleogeographic information, this study will contribute to a better understanding of the geological processes that have shaped the Aït Abdallah buttonhole and its surroundings. Furthermore, it will provide valuable insights into favorable conditions for the formation of copper deposits in this region of the Western Anti-Atlas. These findings will advance regional geological knowledge and may have significant implications for mineral exploration in the study area.