Sedimentological and Lithostratigraphic Study of the Senonian Series in Timstiguite Region, Central High Atals, Morocco

In this paper, we present the sedimentological, stratigraphic and paleogeographic aspect of the Upper Cretaceous red formations (Senonian series) of Timstiguite region (Central High Atlas of Morocco). The formations were measured bed by bed and sampled in a very detailed way. An exoscopic analysis of the quartz grains was carried out by a systematic prospecting of the grains relief and theirs surface characteristic, this led us to characterize their origin and consequently to determine the different paleoenvironnements. The clay sediments of these formations seem to be a favorable prospect in point of view: evolution of the clay and non-clay sediments in this central basin of the High Atlas will depend mainly on the conjugation of tectonic, eustatic, climatic and other influences. The senonian thickness is more important than other sub basins (Albban and Imider) where it shows a very reduced thickness. The Senonian of Timstiguite corresponds to a succession of detrital and evaporitic carbonate facies, which confirms a coastal depositional environment with passages of some periods of marine emersions

Application of The Hierarchical Multicriteria Analysis Method to The Study of Water Erosion (South of Azilal, Morocco)

This study aims to apply the process of the analytical hierarchy in geographic information system to the study of water erosion in the southern part of the Azilal region, Morocco. This method is an important tool to be used in the planning and management of natural risks; it has allowed us to obtain a multi-factorial sensitivity map to water erosion. This sensitivity map of erosive soil conditions in the study area shows that 6% of the area is (less) exposed to erosion risk while 85% of the mapped area is moderately exposed to erosion risk and only 8% of the mapped area is highly exposed to water weathering factors.  Visually, the high-risk zones correspond to the area around ‘’Oued Lakhdar’’ and its tributaries

Sedimentological and lithostratigraphic study of the Foum El Kous Senonian, Central Hight Atlas of Morocco

The study area belongs to the southern edge of the central High Atlas. It is limited to the North by the Sub-atlasic accident and to the South by the extension of the Eastern Anti Atlas formations. To determine the depositional environments of the Senonian series, a sedimentological analysis of the facies was carried out based on field observations by the recognition of sedimentary structures and textures. An exoscopic analysis of the quartz grains was also carried out by a systematic prospecting of the grain relief and of all the characters that will appear on the surface of the grain after the formation of the mother rock at the origin place, during transport, immobilization phases and deposition. It seems very interesting to prospect for the clayey side in these Upper Cretaceous reddish formations because the evolution of the clayey and non-clayey assemblages in this central basin of the High Atlas will depend mainly on the combination of tectonic, eustatic, climatic and other influences. The Senonian of Foum El Kous which has a less important thickness corresponds to continental deposits that act the role of a natural barrier that separates on both sides the two sub-basins: Sidi Ali Oubork in the East and Ait youl in the West

Remote Sensing for Spatio-temporal Mapping of Land surface temperature and Surface Energy Fluxes in the Bouregreg-Chaouia Region of Morocco

In recent decades, the Bouregreg Chaouia region has been subject to urban growth and a reduction in agricultural land in this region, which has changed its environmental variables and made it vulnerable to climate change. This work raises the spatiotemporal monitoring of land use and certain environmental parameters (vegetation cover, albedo, surface temperature from 1987 to 2015 by exploring intelligent spatial data in the region. The remote sensing products were computed from Landsat 5 TM, Landsat 7 ETM+ and Landsat 8 Oli/TIRS images obtained during the dry seasons 1987, 2000 and 2015. The results showed a reduction in NDVI vegetation index (∼0.86 in 1987 to ∼0. 56 in 2000 to ∼ 0.54 in 2015) and with an increase in surface albedo (0.51 in 1987 to 0.52 in 2000 to 0. 69 in 2015), temperature (∼67°C in 1987 to 54°C in 2000 to 40°C in 2015) and to understand the impact of urbanization on the variation of environmental parameters, the evolution of the built-up area has been followed as a determining factor. However, it recorded 3.27% surface area in 1987 to 7.45% in 2000 to 28.18% in 2015. Indeed, the contribution of new technologies (GIS and remote sensing) is essential for better management and monitoring of the impact of urban expansion on the state of the environment. The results obtained remain so promising and highlight the contribution and feasibility of intelligent spatial data to assess the evolution of the urban environment on a large scale

Remote Sensing for Land Use Mapping, Case of The Study Area: Urban Commune of Saada, Morocco

The phenomenon of urban planning in favor of agricultural land on the outskirts of the city of Marrakech is in full expansion. The study of land use changes is of pivotal interest for the knowledge, management, monitoring, surveillance, and evaluation of our environment. Indeed, the city of Marrakech has been experiencing exponential population growth for several decades. This phenomenon has led to a dynamic urban characterized by the increase and densification of urbanized areas (e.g. buildings and infrastructures) which leads to the occupation of natural spaces. To this end, this study aims at highlighting the mapping and evolution of land use in the city of Marrakech from Landsat satellite image data (1989, 2005 and 2020) through the application of the Image classification using Machine Learning algorithms with the QGis Orfeo Toolbox, which facilitate the production of land use maps at three dates as well as an evolution map of the conurbation and also to quantify the obtained results. The directions of extension of the urban area were defined and thus demonstrate its impact on the agricultural land located in the peri-urban area

Utilization of ASTER data in lithological and lineament mapping of the southern flank of the Central High Atlas in Morocco

Geological mapping undoubtedly plays an important role in several studies and remote sensing data are of great significance in geological mapping, particularly in poorly mapped areas situated in inaccessible regions. In the present study, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Band Rationing (BR) and Minimum Noise Fraction (MNF) algorithms are applied to map lithological units and extract lineaments in the Amezri-Amassine area, by using multispectral ASTER image and global digital elevation model (GDEM) data for the first time. Following preprocessing of ASTER images, advanced image algorithms such as PCA, BR and MNF analyses are applied to the 9ASTER bands. Validation of the resultant maps has relied on matching lithological boundaries and faults in the study area and on the basis of pre-existing geological maps. In addition to the PCA image, a new band-ratio image, 4/6–5/8–4/5, as adopted in the present work, provides high accuracy in discriminating lithological units. The MNF transformation reveals improvement over previous enhancement techniques, in detailing most rock units in the area. Hence, results derived from the enhancement techniques show a good correlation with the existing litho-structural map of the study area. In addition, the present results have allowed to update this map by identifying new lithological units and structural lineaments. Consequently, the methodology followed here has provided satisfactory results and has demonstrated the high potential of multispectral ASTER data for improving lithological discrimination and lineament extraction

Lithological mapping using Landsat 8 Oli multispectral data in Boumalne, Imider, and Sidi Ali Oubork, High Central Atlas, Morocco

The recognition of geological formations, from a lithological point of view, as well as their tectonic character always remain a major challenge for any precise geological study, in this work we will see the great importance of the application of remote sensing (Landsat OLI, DEM) to realize lithological maps of great interest as well as the realization of detailed lineament maps with the statistics of the performed measurements, the application of some indicated techniques showed a good discrimination of the lithology of geological formations (Fig.8 ,Fig.10,Fig.11),better results and interpretations are also obtained for lineaments affecting the whole area by using the CP1 and DEM methods (Fig.5,Fig.6).Topographic map and geological maps of JBEL SAGHRO DADES and TODGHA MADER (1/200000) gained from ministry of energy and mines, direction of geology (1975), are used for validation of the obtained results by eliminating of artificial structures (roads) and geological layer boundaries. All data sets were pre-processed and projected in the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM Zone 29 North) projection system and the WGS84 datum using GIS tools (ArcGIS 10.2)

Introduction to the cartographic and sedimentological study of the coverage of the TAHANAOUT BASIN (HIGH ATLAS, MOROCCO)

This study is carried out on the northern edge of the High Atlas of the MARRAKECH basin. The TAHNAOUT DOUAR SOUR basin belongs to the Atlasic domain which is structured by the Hercynian orogeny, taken up and elevated by the Alpine orogeny, our main goal in this studying is to map the TAHNAOUT DOUAR SOUR basin and to characterize all these geological formations, For this purpose we analysed sedimentary tectonic structures ,made lithostratigraphic sections with description and draw a geological map at scale 1/25000 on a topographic background by used MapInfo platform. As final results, our studying of the TAHANOUT basin consists of two main lithological units: the basement formed by conglomeratic and turbidite deposits (alternating sandstone and pelites), and the lithological unit that forms the cover of the TAHNAOUT basin formed by a red detrital material and, carbonate deposits in some cases depending on the deposition environment, The TAHNAOUT basin is also affected by tectonic activity at the basement and Meso-Cenozoic cover levels [1-2]. Magmatic activity is absent and no trace has been recorded

Sedimentological, Lithostratigraphic, Clayey and Exoscopic Study of the Senonian Series of Arg N’Sidi Ali Ou Bourk, High Central Atlas of Morocco

The sedimentological study of the red formations (Senonian series) represents a challenge and an exciting subject that needs to be explored. This paper will present the sedimentological, stratigraphic, and paleogeographic aspects of the Upper Cretaceous of the ARG N'SIDIALI OR BOURK, Central High Atlas Morocco. In this region, a marker section was realized bed by bed and sampled in a very straightforward way in order to study stratigraphy, to describe, to interpret and to characterize the sedimentary environment of the senonian succession in the ARG N'SIDIALI OU BOURK region, more particularly the analysis of the clays by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) has allowed understanding the depositional environments of the Upper Cretaceous formations. Therefore, the Senonian of ARG N'SIDIALI OU BOURK corresponds to continental lagoon deposits. It is characterised by sedimentation in the continental environment (fluvial or flooded), with some rare marine ascents marked by the installation of whitish sandstone bars

Sedimentological, Lithostratigraphic, Clayey and Exoscopic Study of the Senonian Series of District Imini, Asfalou and Anmitar, Central High Atlas, Morocco

The present work deals with the sedimentological, lithostratigraphic and paleoenvironmental study of the red (Senonian) series of the two sections Asfalou and Anmitar located in the district of Imini, Asfalou. These areas are semi-arid zone in the south of the High central Atlas-Morocco. Different analysis was performed such as a sedimentological, lithostratigraphic analysis of the facies to recognise sedimentary structures and textures encountered. Also, the collection of samples for exoscopic analysis of quartz grains was conducted, and the analysis of clay procession was done. In general, all the sedimentation was spent in a continental environment (fluvial or flooded) with some rare marine upwellings that are marked by the installation of dolomite bars