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The Jurassic–Cretaceous volcanism of the Atlas of Beni-Mellal (Central High Atlas, Morocco): evidence from clinopyroxene composition

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Abstract

The Central High Atlas volcanism (CHAV) extruded the synclinal basins of the Central High Atlas and shows entablature shapes constituted by basaltic lavas as two volcanic sequences B1 and B2, which correspond to distinct volcanic events. The original flows fissure bet up to the open air, or under very shallow water. Basaltic rocks consist of olivine basalt. Clinopyroxene compositions range from augite in B1 to diopside in B2 basaltic sequences. The clinopyroxene Ti content is low and typically does not exceed 1 %. In diagrams of clinopyroxene composition based on discriminant functions, the clinopyroxene geochemical data of CHAV show the transitional nature of B1, while this character decreases in B2. They plot in the within-plate basalt field. The study of both B1 and B2 basalts shows that these two basaltic sequences were derived from a common magma. Whole rock analyses prove the results. CHAV is a part of the geodynamic evolution of the Atlas domain, which is ruled by two major events: the opening of the Central Atlantic and the Mediterranean convergence.

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Acknowledgments

This work is based on a portion of the first author's doctoral dissertation at the University of Sciences and Technics, Beni-Mellal. We are grateful to Rachid Zayane and Nassrdine Youbi, University of Marrakesh, for many discussions and perceptive comments.

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  1. Laboratory Geo-Resources & Environment (GEORE), Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences & Technics, B.P. 523, Beni-Mellal, 23000, Morocco

    Jaouad Guezal, Mohamed El Baghdadi & Ahmed Barakat

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  1. Jaouad Guezal
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  2. Mohamed El Baghdadi
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  3. Ahmed Barakat
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Correspondence to Jaouad Guezal.

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Guezal, J., El Baghdadi, M. & Barakat, A. The Jurassic–Cretaceous volcanism of the Atlas of Beni-Mellal (Central High Atlas, Morocco): evidence from clinopyroxene composition. Arab J Geosci 8, 977–986 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-013-1256-z

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