Geoheritage in Morocco: The Neoproterozoic Ophiolite of Bou Azzer (Central Anti-Atlas)

The Bou Azzer ophiolitic complex (Anti-Atlas, southern Morocco) marks the suture of the Pan-African orogenic belt. This fragment of old oceanic crust (697 +/- 8 Ma) obducted onto the continental margin of the West African Craton during a collisional event that occurred between 650 and 580 Ma. Very well exposed desert outcrops display serpentinites associated with chromite pods and clinopyroxenolites, ultrabasic and basic cumulates, quartz diorite, a sheeted-dyke complex, basaltic pillow lavas, and red cherts, i.e., the set of lithologies composing an ophiolitic sequence. Other geological units cropping out in the area are: (1) the underlying continental margin of the West African Craton; (2) a volcanic arc next to the oceanic crust represented by the ophiolite; (3) overlying unconformable volcanic and sedimentary rocks. The unusual character of this Neoproterozoic magmatic and tectonic geoheritage site, together with the excellent quality of the outcrops and the relatively easy access to the area, make this complex attractive from both a scientific and a geotouristic perspective. Its declaration as a geoheritage site will serve as a stimulus for the preservation of this singular area.