Origin of clastic dykes and normal faults affecting the lacustrine limestones within the Neogene Saiss basin, Northern Morocco
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55407/geogaceta98375Keywords:
Saiss basin, Northern Morocco, clastic dykes, normal fault, recent deformationAbstract
Normal faults and clastic dykes are common structures affecting Plio-Quaternary lacustrine limestones in the foreland Saiss basin, Northern Morocco. These dilational and extensional features follow two preferential directions NNW–SSE and NE–SW and are related to the recent quaternary tectonic episodes occurring within massive limestones and travertines. The tensional features have been studied at different sites in Meknes city and the surrounding areas. The normal faults analyzed at different outcrops are listric-shape faults, affecting both sandstones and limestones, and sometimes determine horst and graben structures. Clastic dykes occur only in the limestone beds, they are filled with redclays resulting from the leaching of soils, produced by rainwater infiltration and by the rock clasts enclosed in the wall. They are systematically vertical to sub-vertical arranged, and associated to normal faulting and fractures. Our finding defines the late Quaternary extensional tectonics and contributes to understand the origin of these dilational features.
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