article · Sedimentary Geology
Geological analysis of Eocene marine carbonate platform deposits in the Moroccan Ghomarides reveals eight distinct microfacies across a distally steepened carbonate ramp. Formed in the westernmost Tethys between the Cuisian and Bartonian ages, these deposits comprise three sedimentary cycles representing a transgressive succession. The earliest cycle exhibits photic inner to mid ramp settings under mesotrophic conditions, progressing in the second cycle to seagrass-bearing inner to mid ramp environments with mesotrophic to oligotrophic waters. The third cycle shifts from mesophotic mid ramp to aphotic slope conditions, transitioning from oligotrophic to eutrophic states. Larger benthic foraminifera predominated across the Tethys, though in the Ghomaride Domain they coexisted with colonial corals, marking an intermediate fossil assemblage between northern and southern Tethyan margins. Deposition correlates closely with Eocene warming intervals, while cooling periods brought shallowing and sedimentation gaps, alongside two distinct anomalies during Ypresian and Bartonian times.
Examining ancient carbonate platforms helps geoscientists understand how past marine ecosystems and sedimentation responded to global climate shifts. By demonstrating how foraminifera and corals responded to nutrient levels, water depth, and temperature changes during warm and cool Eocene intervals, this research provides crucial baseline data for interpreting historical oceanographic dynamics and regional tectonic influences in the western Tethys ocean.
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The Eocene platform deposits in the Moroccan Ghomarides have been studied. These marine carbonate platforms were located in the westernmost Tethys approximately 30°N and 0°–10°W during the Cuisian to Bartonian. The study includes observations from fossiliferous assemblages (such as larger benthic foraminifera and colonial corals), their palaeoenvironment as well as rock texture and fabric. Eight microfacies were identified that represent different ramp environments in a ‘distally-steepened carbonate ramp’ type of platform. The studied deposits are organised into a transgressive succession composed of three sedimentary cycles: lower Cuisian, middle Cuisian and middle Lutetian to Bartonian. In the lower cycle, photic inner to mid ramp environments in mesotrophic conditions were prevalent. In the second cycle, photic inner ramp (sea-grass) to mid ramp environments in mesotrophic to oligotrophic conditions were observed. The upper cycle, which is more extensive and variable, represents mesophotic mid ramp to aphotic slope environments and changes gradually from oligotrophic to eutrophic conditions. During the Eocene, larger benthic foraminifera were dominant overtaking the zooxanthellate corals in the Tethys regions. Nevertheless, our study and the performed comparison with other Tethyan sectors have revealed that in some areas both coexisted in similar proportions. In some western Tethys regions close to the Atlantic Ocean, coinciding with areas influenced by upwelling currents, larger benthic foraminifera and coral build-ups were replaced by oyster reefs. The Ghomaride Domain represents an intermediate case between fossil assemblages of the northern Tethyan margin and eastern sector of the southern margin of the Tethys, with a dominance of larger benthic foraminifera but with a certain presence of corals as well. A good correlation exists between Eocene warm intervals and carbonate platform deposits in these domains. Contrarily, during cooling ones shallowing and gaps in the sedimentation are registered. Two anomalies have been detected in the Ghomaride Domain during Ypresian and Bartonian times indicating particular climatic conditions or local tectonic interferences.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2023.106423
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