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Background <p>The Outita fault-related fold of the South Rifian Ridges, located at the forefront of the Rif belt, is one of active structures accommodating the escape of this Alpine chain, driven by the ongoing convergence between the Eurasian and African plates.</p> Aim <p>Despite its importance, the growth patterns of the fold remain poorly understood. This study thus aims to reveal indicators of its lateral development and current tectonic activity.</p> Purpose <p>We use morphometric analysis of 26 drainage basins and other geomorphic features, such as drainage patterns, the elevation of the fold axis, wind gaps, and drainage diversions to assess the active tectonic growth of the Outita anticline. Key indices, including drainage basin area (Ba), asymmetry factor (AF), hypsometric integral (HI), basin shape (Bs), crescentness index (CI), sinuosity of the main drainage (Smd), and sinuosity of anticline divide (Sad) were evaluated to conduct a spatial analysis of the southern and northeastern fold segments.</p> Results <p>The results demonstrate qualitative and quantitative geomorphologic evidences supporting northeastward lateral fold propagation, indicative of a younger and less eroded northeastern fold nose. This includes decreasing wind gaps elevations, diverted drainage across the fold nose creating a water gap, asymmetric forked drainage pattern, small, elongated and crescent-shaped basins, higher HI and lower Sad values. The reactivation of the Sidi Filli Fault system has further contributed to uplift, particularly in the western limb.</p> Conclusion <p>These findings enhance our understanding of tectonic activity in the South Rifian Ridges and highlight the potential for future seismic activity, with important implications for hazard assessments and land-use planning. Furthermore, this study provides a valuable framework for analyzing global active fold growth.</p>

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Neotectonic evidence for lateral fold growth along the Outita Anticline, South Rifian Ridges, Northern Morocco

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月7日

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  • Afaf Amine,
  • Hmidou El Ouardi,
  • Mohamed El Amrani,
  • Billel Touati,
  • Mohamed Saadi,
  • Saida Niazi,
  • Mansour Al Hashim,
  • Ali Ouargaga,
  • Rida Haddane

摘要

Background

The Outita fault-related fold of the South Rifian Ridges, located at the forefront of the Rif belt, is one of active structures accommodating the escape of this Alpine chain, driven by the ongoing convergence between the Eurasian and African plates.

Aim

Despite its importance, the growth patterns of the fold remain poorly understood. This study thus aims to reveal indicators of its lateral development and current tectonic activity.

Purpose

We use morphometric analysis of 26 drainage basins and other geomorphic features, such as drainage patterns, the elevation of the fold axis, wind gaps, and drainage diversions to assess the active tectonic growth of the Outita anticline. Key indices, including drainage basin area (Ba), asymmetry factor (AF), hypsometric integral (HI), basin shape (Bs), crescentness index (CI), sinuosity of the main drainage (Smd), and sinuosity of anticline divide (Sad) were evaluated to conduct a spatial analysis of the southern and northeastern fold segments.

Results

The results demonstrate qualitative and quantitative geomorphologic evidences supporting northeastward lateral fold propagation, indicative of a younger and less eroded northeastern fold nose. This includes decreasing wind gaps elevations, diverted drainage across the fold nose creating a water gap, asymmetric forked drainage pattern, small, elongated and crescent-shaped basins, higher HI and lower Sad values. The reactivation of the Sidi Filli Fault system has further contributed to uplift, particularly in the western limb.

Conclusion

These findings enhance our understanding of tectonic activity in the South Rifian Ridges and highlight the potential for future seismic activity, with important implications for hazard assessments and land-use planning. Furthermore, this study provides a valuable framework for analyzing global active fold growth.