Paleoenvironmental indicators of Liassic deposits in the Ait Ourir basin area (example from Tafilalt, High Atlas of Marrakech)

Abstract

This study aims to determine the indicators of emersion in the Liassic deposits of the Tafilalet basin, located in the Ait Ourir region, to characterize different structures and gain a better understanding of the paleoenvironment. The Liassic series of Tafilalet exhibits a variety of geological features, including dissolution breccias, carbonate-filled vacuoles, parallel laminations, dessiccation cracks, stromatolithic limestone, teepee structures, tidal channels, as well as fossil traces such as Skolithos, Arenicolite, Planolite, and Diplocraterion.These diverse elements suggest favorable environmental conditions for intertidal to supratidal zones. Dissolution breccias indicate processes involving the dissolution of evaporites, while carbonate-filled vacuoles reveal periods of emersion and sedimentation in specific environments. The identification of fossil traces like Skolithos, Arenicolite, Planolite, and Diplocraterion provides crucial information about the fauna and flora during the Liassic period, allowing for a more comprehensive reconstruction of the paleoenvironment. These data significantly contribute to the study of the geological evolution of the region during the Liassic period. In summary, this study provides important insights into the geological and environmental processes that shaped the Tafilalet basin during the Liassic period.