Characterization of the Cretaceous aquifer structure of the Meskala region of the Essaouira Basin, Morocco
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Abstract
The aquifer of early Cretaceous age in the Meskala region of the Essaouira Basin is defined by interpretation of geological drilling data of oil and hydrogeological wells, field measurement and analysis of in situ fracture orientations, and the application of a morphostructural method to identify lineaments. These analyzes are used to develop a stratigraphic–structural model of the aquifer delimited by fault zones of two principal orientations: NNE and WNW. These fault zones define fault blocks that range in area from 4 to 150 km2. These blocks correspond either to elevated zones (horsts) or depressed zones (grabens). This structural setting with faults blocks of Meskala region is in accordance with the structure of the whole Essaouira Basin. Fault zones disrupt the continuity of the aquifer throughout the study area, create recharge and discharge zones, and create dip to the units from approximately 10° to near vertical in various orientations. Fracture measurements and morphometric-lineament analyzes help to identify unmapped faults, and represent features important to groundwater hydraulics and water quality within fault blocks. The above geologic features will enable a better understanding of the behaviour and hydro-geo-chemical and hydrodynamics of groundwater in the Meskala aquifer.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Characterization of the Cretaceous aquifer structure of the Meskala region of the Essaouira Basin, Morocco |
| Series title | Journal of African Earth Sciences |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2010.12.003 |
| Volume | 59 |
| Issue | 2-3 |
| Year Published | 2011 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Description | 10 p. |
| First page | 313 |
| Last page | 322 |
| Country | Morocco |
| Other Geospatial | Essaouira Basin |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |