Geodiversity Examples of Morocco: From Inventory to Regional Geotourism Development

Hassan El Hadi^1*, Abdelfatah Tahiri², José Brilha³, Ayoub El Maidani⁴, Bouamar Baghdad⁵, Abdelkrim Zaidi⁶

¹Laboratory of Applied Geology, Geomatic and Environment/Sciences Faculty of Ben M’Sik, University Hassan II of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco.
²Geology and Remote Sensing Laboratory, URAC46, Scientific Institute, University of Rabat, Morocco.
³Institute of Earth Sciences, Pole of the University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.
⁴University Hassan II of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco.
⁵Hassan II Agronomy and Veterinary Institute, Rabat, Morocco.
⁶Université Ibn Zohr, Agadir, Morocco.

DOI: 10.4236/oje.2015.59034                

Abstract

The soil and subsoil of Morocco are rich in geological phenomena that bear the imprint of a history which goes back in time more than 2000 million years. Very many geologically remarkable sites exposed in accessible outcrops, with good quality remained unknown to the general public and therefore deserved to be vulgarized. It is a memory to acquaint the present generations but also to preserve for future generations. In total, a rich geological heritage in many ways: Varied landscapes, international stratotypes, various geological structures, varied rocks, mineral associations, a huge procession offossiles, remnants of oceanic crust (ophiolites) among oldests ones in the world (800 my), etc. For this geological heritage, an approach of an overall inventory is needed, both regionally and nationally, taking into account all the skills of the earth sciences. This will put the item on the natural (geological) potentialities as a lever for sustainable regional development. For this, it is necessary to implement a strategy of “geoconservation” for the preservation and assessment of the geological heritage. A website “lithothèque du Maroc” is under construction.

Keywords

Geodiversity, Morocco, Inventory, Regional Development

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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