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Facies analysis, architectural elements and

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IX Congreso Geológico de España Geo-Temas, 16 (1) ISSN 1576-5172

Facies analysis, architectural elements and environmental reconstruction of

Triassic deposits of the western Meseta (Mohammedia-Benslimane-Berrechid-
ElGara area), Morocco
Análisis de facies, elementos arquitectónicos y reconstrucción paleoambiental de los depósitos del
Triásico de la Meseta occidental (región de Mohammedia-Benslimane-Berrechid-ElGara),
Marruecos

Abdelkrim AFENZAR1 and Rachid ESSAMOUD1

1: Dynamics of sedimentary basins & geological correlations laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Ben M’sik, Hassan II University of Casablanca. B.P.
7955, Sidi Othmane, Casablanca, Morocco/ karim.afenzar@gmail.com / rachidessamoud@yahoo.fr

Abstract: Moroccan Triassic lands extend on the different structural domains of the territory. Most of these lands are
distributed in the Atlasic domain and in the Mesetien domain. We focused in this study in Oued El Maleh-El Gara and
Ben Ahmed areas that are located in the coastal Meseta. Triassic outcrops in these areas normally are about 150m thick,
displaying terrigenous and evaporitic assemblages. The base of the section is formed by coarse to medium deposits
consisting into conglomerate and sandstone. The middle and top of the sequence is formed by siltstone, mudstone and
gypsum, presenting a grain size fining towards the top of the section, which is marked by the occurrence of Triassic
basalts. Our facies analysis allows to reconstruct the deposit paleonvironments, which ranged from fluvial to lacustrine
and to lagoonal environments.

Key words: Facies analysis, Architectural elements, Triassic, Meseta, Morocco

Resumen: Los depósitos triásicos de Marruecos se encuentran distribuidos por los diferentes dominios estructurales del
territorio. La mayor parte de estos depósitos se distribuyen en los dominios Atlasic y Mesetien. En este estudio nos hemos
centrado en el estudio de las zonas Oued El Maleh-El Gara y Ben Ahmed, que están situados en la Meseta costera. La
serie Triásica en estas áreas suele presentar 150m de espesor en el afloramiento Esta se caracteriza por su carácter
detrítico terrígeno y evaporitas. La base de la sección está formada por depósitos gruesos y medios, Las partes medias y
superior de la secuencia están formadas por limolitas, lutitas y yesos, presentando una reducción del tamaño de grano
hacia el techo. El análisis de facies permite reconstruir los paleoambientes para los diferentes depósitos, que
generalmente son ambientes fluviales, lacustres y de lagoon.

Palabras clave: Análisis de facies, Elementos arquitectónicos, Triásico, Meseta, Marruecos

INTRODUCTION GEOLOGICAL SETTING

In Morocco, the Triassic deposits are particular
interest in the scientific and economic framework.
Indeed, besides the fact that the separation between
Morocco and the North American coast was announced
by Upper Triassic fractures and volcanism, the Triassic
is associated with salt deposits. It is also associated with
gas reservoirs and mineralization of copper and
uranium. A better knowledge of Triassic deposits and
their evolution over time, facilitate the orientation for
prospecting useful resources.
The study area is located in the northwest of
Morocco, about 20 kilometers northeast of Casablanca
and 15 kilometers in the south of Benslimane (fig. 1).
This area is a part of the Triassic basin of Mohammedia-
Benslimane-ElGara-Berrechid, which is as a vast
shallow depression originated as a consequence of a N-
S to NE-SW oriented semi-graben (Lyazidi et al., 2003).
Mohammedia-Benslimane-El Gara-Berrechid Basin
is limited to the west by the coastal Paleozoic uplift
(Destomdes and Jeannette, 1966), to the north by the
structural zone of Benslimane, to the east and south-east
IX Congreso Geológico de España Geo-Temas, 16 (1) ISSN 1576-5172

by the woody hills of Mdakra-Khatouat or ElGara horst gravels are centimeter to decimeter-sized, showing
(Fadli, 1990), and to north east by Oued Cherrat area. angular to subangular shapes. Sometimes horizontal
stratification may not be apparent (facies Gms: debris
flow), other times this stratification may be apparent
(facies Gm: characterized by horizontal bedding,
imbrication) or (facies Gp characterized by planar
crossbeds).
Sandstones: Reddish to purple sandstone are located
at the base and middle of the succession. Towards the
basal parts, it alternates with conglomerates and
microconglomerates, while at the middle it alternates
with siltstone. This sandstones range from 0,2–4 m thick
and consist into medium- to very-coarse-grained
sandstone with tabular beds, planar (facies Sp), massive
(facies Sm), and with crude horizontal (facies Sh)
stratification. Sometimes they present oblique beds with
low angle (<10 °) (facies Sl).
Siltstones: The reddish siltstones are the
predominant lithofacies throughout the studied sections.
Siltstone can be laminated or massive, up to 20 m thick.
These siltstones alternate with sandstone and sometimes
with gypsum. They correspond to facies Fl of Miall
(1978).
Mudstones: Massive reddish mudstone showing
marmorization spots normally are found interbedded
with sandstone or gypsum. This facies has been
FIGURE 1: geographical and geological situation of the identified in all outcrops studied in the basin. This facies
Mohammedia-Benslimane-ElGara-Berrechid basin with different corresponds to facies Fm of Miall (1978) interpreted as
studied outcrops (the outcrops names are marked in Fig. 2) overbank deposition in a flood plain or a deposit of
abandoned channels (Miall, 1985, 1996; Einsele 2000;
METHODOLOGY Eji Uba et al, 2005).
Gypsum: This fibrous gypsum facies identified at the
This study consists in a detailed analysis of the field middle and top part of the Triassic series in the basin.
sections for a better view of sedimentary bodies and This satin spar (fibrous gypsum), may originate and be
their layout in space to characterize the different facies, preserved under relatively arid environments with no
their associations and architectural elements (Miall, flora.
1985) that will allow us to reconstruct depositional Facies lithofacies Sedimentary Interpretation
environments precisely. In the first step we are based on code structures
lithologic characters, grain size, texture and sedimentary Gms massive ----- debris flow
structures observed in outcrop. Facies nomenclature in deposits
this study corresponds to those determined by Miall Gm massive or horizontal longitudinal bars
(1977 and 1978). The vertical and horizontal crudely bedded bedding or sieve deposits
gravel imbrication
arrangement of these facies gives the architectural
Gp gravel stratified Planar linguoid bars
elements characterized according to several criteria crossbeds
determined by Allen (1983) and Miall (1985), which Sm coarse massive gravity deposits
are: the nature of the upper and lower bounding sandstone
surfaces, the external geometry, the scale, and the Sp sand, medium to planar linguoid,
internal structures. The last step is the determination of v. coarse. crossbeds transverse bars
paleoenvironment is based on the nature and types of Sh sand, very fine Horizontal planar bed flow
lithofacies already characterized and types of to very coarse. lamination (1. and u. flow
architectural elements formed by these lithofacies. regime)
Sl sand, fine low angle ( scour fills,
FACIES ANALYSIS AND < 10 °) crevasse splays
crossbeds
ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS Fl siltstone fine overbank or
lamination waning flood
Lithofacies deposits
Fm mudstone laminated to overbank or drape
Conglomerates: In the majority of the studied massive deposits
outcrops, those conglomerates are located in the basal gypsum Satin spar Fibrous lake or lagoon
part of the succession. The conglomerate display red to gypsum deposits
purple colours, and present a matrix-supported fabric. TABLE 1: facies identified in the studied area (Miall, 1978, 2006,
The matrix is formed by sand and silt, and the pebble- modified)
IX Congreso Geológico de España
Architectural elements
In our study area, we characterized
architectural elements:
AE1: This architectural element characterized at
base of succession, and is formed by the facies
assemblages Gms and Gm. AE1 corresponds to
architectural element SG (Sediment Gravity Flow) of
Miall (1985). This last formed by sediment gravity flow
deposits, predominantly poorly sorted gravels formed in
proximal regions, typically on alluvial fans.
AE2: Is formed by facies assemblages of Gm, Sm,
Sp, Sh and Fm. The architectural element AE2 has
basal surfaces of the fourth order (erosion surface).
These limits are slightly planar and other times erosive
concave upward. AE2 may correspond to the
architectural element CH of Miall (1985 and 2006)
deposited as a fluvial channel.
AE3: It is formed by the lithofacies assemblage of
Gm and Gp of Miall (1978), other lithofacies have
sometimes been identified between these predominant
facies such as facies (Sm) and (Sh). This corresponds to
the architectural element GB (Gravel Bar and Bedform)
of Miall (1985), which are generally coarse deposits
deposited at the bars (gravel bars).
FIGURE 2: Different sections studied in the basin with different facies
and architectural elements identified. (I): section 1 of Chaâbat Al
Hmira area, (II): section 2 of Chaâbat Al Hmira area, (III): Oulad
Jhaych section (ElGara area). AE: architectural element, SS:
sedimentary structure.
Geo-Temas, 16 (1) ISSN 1576-5172
AE4: This element is formed by medium to fine
lithofacies assemblage: Sp, Sh and Sl. AE4 element is
seven characterized by internal bounding surfaces of second to
third order. It corresponds to the architectural element
SB (Sand Bedform) of Miall (1985). It is deposited in
shallow channel filling, crevasse channels, crevasse-
splay and distal braid plain.
AE5: This is an assemblage of fine to very fine
lithofacies: Sh, Fl and Fm. This element has a 2.5 m
thick, and has similarities with the architectural element
LS (laminated sand sheets) of Miall (1985). The
deposits of this element have been interpreted as the
product of flash floods depositing sand in upper flow
regime plane bed conditions (Miall, 1977, 1984b; Rust,
1978b; Tunbridge, 1981, 1984).
AE6: It is a lithofacies assemblage of 5 to 6 m thick,
and is formed by alternating of lithofacies Fl, lithofacies
Sh and occasionally gypsum. The alternation of
siltstone sheets and fine sandstone is interpreted for this
architectural element as deposits of playa lakes.
AE7: It is an assemblage of lithofacies Fl and Fm.
Sometimes these lithofaciès alternate with lithofacies
Sh. Based on their structure and its architectural criteria,
the AE7 corresponds to the architectural element OF
interpreted as overflow deposits fines (Overbank fine).
DISCUSSION
Detrital deposits of Triassic basin of Mohammedia-
Benslimane-ElGara-Berrechid were deposited in a
diversified fluvial system. The lowermost deposits at
base of the succession consist into massive
conglomerates deposited in alluvial fans (deposits of
architectural elements AE1 and AE2 similar to the ones
included in the depositional model n°1: proximal
alluvial fans with sediment gravity flow lobes of
Miall, 1985). Above these environments shift to fluvial
braided system characterized by coarse gravel deposits
bars (AE3), and sometimes some fine deposits
deposited in abandoned channels, this model matching
with the pattern n°2: proximal alluvial fan or outwash
braidplain of Miall (1985). Sandstone and some
siltstone deposits included into the AE4 and AE6,
suggest a paleoenvironment corresponding to the
floodplains of a meandering system, which would
correspond to nº6 in the Miall (1985, 2006) model: the
classic sandy, mixed-load meandering river.
Regarding deposits fine and very fine (siltstones and
mudstones) they probably formed in a complex fluvial
system characterized mainly by overflow deposits
(Overbank fines) deposited in the floodplain. The
formation of these fines to very fines deposits is
probably due to retrogradation of the clastic system.
Finally, this fluvial system is connected to a playa
system characterized by evaporites and fine deposits.
 IX Congreso Geológico de España
CONCLUSION
Based on facies associations and depositional
environment we have identified two episodes: clastic
and evaporitic which are formed before the basaltic
effusion. Regarding the sedimentary paleoenvironment
we noticed an evolution of an alluvial fan system to
braided river system at the base of the succession. In the
middle of the succession we have identified a
meandering river characterized by average and fine
deposits. Finally, at the top we characterized the very
fine deposits deposited at the floodplain. The episode of
evaporate deposited in the middle and top of succession
can be preserved in relatively arid environments with an
absence of flora before the basaltic effusion.
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