Paleogene evolution of the External Rif Zone (Morocco) and comparison with other western Tethyan margins

The Paleogene evolution of the NW margin African Plate (Western External Rif Zone) was studied by means multidisciplinary analyses twenty-one stratigraphic logs, including tectofacies recognition, petro-mineralogical results, and thicknesses analysis. Four intervals were recognized separated three unconformities coarsely aligned with Cretaceous–Paleogene, Eocene–Oligocene Oligocene–Miocene boundaries, respectively. Tectofacies appear from late Ypresian being more frequents Oligocene as tectonic activity increases. petrology detrital suites indicates recycled orogen-derived sediments, quartz supplied metamorphic rocks Atlas orogen and/or craton. On basis Mesozoic clay mineral assemblages reported in literature, mineralogy mudstones suggests upper Jurassic to Cretaceous terrains Internal Intrarif main source area Paleocene–Eocene successions, sediment provenance reversion during additional contribution Paleocene lower Eocene suites. different displacement capability identified aluminic-magnesic enabled deduce relative proximity area. These findings point out a complex sedimentary characterized mixture lithotypes dating back Jurassic. X-ray parameters helped identify evidences synsedimentary tectonics overprinting inherited some periods weak burial diagenesis at most. During foreland basin is formed mainly Mesorif Prerif sub-domains. This foredeep represented two ‘sub-geosynclines’ bulge located Mesorif. could represent orogenic front, advancing on Intrarif. forebulge Ridges Domain, while Gharb Basin backbulge system. depocentral migrated southward homogeneization took also place whole margin. In this new configuration, would be (previously bulge) Domain continued act system backbulge, A comparison other western Tethys external margins (Betic Chain, Tunisian Tell, Sicilian Maghrebids, Apennines) has revealed similarities than differences. effects Eo-Alpine are everywhere even if they decrease both N S, W E considered margins. compared shows common pre-foredeed (Paleocene-Eocene) beginning (Oligocene) stages basins.