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Fold interference patterns in the Late Palaeozoic Anti‐Atlas belt of Morocco
Author(s) -
Séverine Caritg,
Martin Burkhard,
Romain Ducommun,
Urs Helg,
Lionel Kopp,
Christian Sue
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
terra nova
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.353
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1365-3121
pISSN - 0954-4879
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3121.2003.00525.x
Subject(s) - geology , precambrian , paleozoic , devonian , paleontology , ordovician , fold (higher order function) , foreland basin , basement , tectonics , archaeology , history , mechanical engineering , engineering
We document two phases of folding within the central part of the Late Palaeozoic Anti‐Atlas chain of Morocco. A first generation of SW–NE folds involve a horizontal shortening of 10–20%, accommodated by polyharmonic buckle folding of contrasting wavelengths in Ordovician Jbel Bani quartzites and Devonian Jbel Rich carbonates. A second generation of folds with similar style and wavelengths in an E–W direction lead to complex interference patterns. Dome and basins are developed within the Jbel Rich and within Lower Cambrian dolomites. Both folding phases are related to thick‐skinned uplift of Precambrian basement in a Laramide style. In contrast to the typical Rocky Mountain foreland style, however, cover deformation in the Anti‐Atlas is mostly decoupled from the undying basement along thick incompetent horizons such as the Lower Cambrian Lie‐de‐Vin and Silurian shales.