Regional Synthesis and Progress on the Geological Research in North Africa

A summary of the geology of North Africa is given in this introduction. North Africa stands in a peculiar position that has enabled the record of a protracted history since the Archean. After the Proterozoic assembly of different cratonic nuclei, the newly formed supercontinent Gondwana underwent a Paleozoic–Mesozoic story that repeatedly weakened and dismembered its northern margin. Before Phanerozoic, the end of Neoproterozoic undoubtedly affected the northern Gondwana margin, but the extent of the Cadomian crustal reworking remains to be ascertained. Paleozoic cycles of Rheic and Paleo-Tethys openings rhythmed the deformation of this Gondwana margin until the opening of the Tethys (Maghrebian Tethys to the west or Neo-Tethys further east). Although the associated 3D plate kinematics of these paleo-configurations have been refined for a decade and provide significant constraints, unambiguous evidence is still lacking on many points. For instance: (1) the Variscan model for NW Africa is still debated on how it correlates with the Variscan-Alleghanian belt; (2) the age of Paleo-Tethys opening remains a matter of debate; (3) the Maghrebian/Neo-Tethys crustal natures and space extensions are still poorly known. These are a few of the questions that are still pending regarding this rich and fascinating geological story recorded in North Africa that will still provide exciting and stimulating works for decades to come. We hope that this short introduction will interest and stimulate the readers curious about this part of the world where there is still a lot to do.