Regular Article
The Middle Atlas Geological karsts forms: Towards Geosites characterization
Géologie de Formes karstiques du Moyen Atlas en vue de leur caractérisation en tant que Géosites
1
Laboratory of Geo-Resources and Environment, FST – USMBA, B.P. 2202 – Imouzzer road, Fes, Morocco
2
Laboratory of Geodynamics and Natural Resources, FS – USMBA, B.P. 1796, Fez–Atlas 30003, Morocco
* Corresponding author: souhail.mounir1@usmba.ac.ma
Received:
17
July
2018
Accepted:
15
November
2018
Rich limestone Jurassic formations and huge water reservoir are natural characteristics of the Middle Atlas Chain in Morocco, which, therefore, offers geodiversity of karst geosystems. The geological, tectonic and hydro-geo-morphological nature of the history of Atlas orogeny has affected the eastern part of the Middle, ensuring the evolution of karst features on various sites of this zone. This study presents some touristic offers specific to the Middle Atlas, particularly in terms of genesis, structures, and functions that could develop and promote public tourism offers. It argues that this development depends on future geological funds identification and classification as Geosites. On the basis of the patrimonial process characterising the Middle Atlas, this study suggests the creation of a Geopark in the Middle Atlas, within the framework of the evaluation criteria of the UNESCO. The implementation of this suggestion would contribute to the socioeconomic development of this region of Morocco.
© S. Mounir et al., published by IFP Energies nouvelles, 2019
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
