Deep resistivity cross section of the intraplate Atlas Mountains (NW Africa): New evidence of anomalous mantle and related Quaternary volcanism

The Atlas Mountains are characterized by high elevations and Quaternary volcanism. Long period magnetotelluric data acquired along a NNW‐SSE transect reveal the presence of a conductive anomalous mantle below the High Atlas. Data dimensionality analyses show a preferent N80°E strike of the deep resi...

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Published in:Tectonics (Washington, D.C.) D.C.), 2011-10, Vol.30 (5), p.n/a
Main Authors: Anahnah, Farida, Galindo-Zaldívar, Jesus, Chalouan, Ahmed, Pedrera, Antonio, Ruano, Patricia, Pous, Jaume, Heise, Wiebke, Ruiz-Constan, Ana, Benmakhlouf, Mohamed, López-Garrido, Angel Carlos, Ahmamou, M'Fedal, Sanz de Galdeano, Carlos, Arzate, Jorge, Ibarra, Pedro, González-Castillo, Lourdes, Bouregba, Naoual, Corbo, Fernando, Asensio, Eva
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Earth Sciences
Environmental Sciences
Geology
Geophysics
Global Changes
inversion tectonics
lithosphere structure
Magnetism
NW Africa
Plate tectonics
resistivity profiles
Sciences of the Universe
Tectonics
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Summary:The Atlas Mountains are characterized by high elevations and Quaternary volcanism. Long period magnetotelluric data acquired along a NNW‐SSE transect reveal the presence of a conductive anomalous mantle below the High Atlas. Data dimensionality analyses show a preferent N80°E strike of the deep resistivity structure in agreement with the induction vector alignment at long periods. Accordingly, a 2D inversion of the data set was carried out. Large resistive bodies at the crustal basement most likely correspond to batholiths emplaced in more conductive metapelites. They are covered by outcropping conductive sedimentary detritic and carbonate rocks. Lithospheric thinning producing anomalous mantle and basin development in the Atlas probably started during Triassic‐Jurassic rifting. Inversion tectonics since the Oligocene produced low shortening on previous lithospheric weak zones, with thrusting of the Atlas above the stable African plate. Melting at the top of the anomalous mantle is connected with Quaternary basaltic volcanism in the Middle Atlas. Key Points Magnetotelluric data of Atlas highlilght crustal and upper mantle structure Atlas mantle is conductive, anomalous and determine the high mountain relief Recent basaltic volcanism in Atlas is connected with anomalous mantle
ISSN:0278-7407
1944-9194
DOI:10.1029/2010TC002859