Subsidence of the Atlantic Moroccan margin during the Mesozoic
This paper presents a combined study based on seismic interpretation, sequence stratigraphy, and the evaluation of subsidence that aims to characterize the structure and development of the Essaouira Basin in Morocco. Located in the coastal Meseta adjoining the continental margin, this basin records an initial Carnian-Hettangian deformation phase during rifting in the central part of the North Atlantic region. The geometry of the basin as a function of time shows a succession of half-grabens and horsts that developed westwards from reactivated Hercynian structures. The postrift stage is characterized by an aggrading sedimentary sequence, as shown by concordant seismic sequences stacking over the onshore part of the basin. The Upper Cretaceous coincides with a sequence showing a transition towards a prograding regime that leads to the topography of the present-day margin. Using the high-resolution analysis provided by sequence stratigraphy, it is possible to recognize fine-scale stratigraphic variations in ...