Proposal of Lithostratigraphic Correlation of the Proterozoic of Northern Béchar and Ougarta (South West Algeria): A Comparison with the Moroccan Anti-Atlas
摘要
In the region of Béchar and Ougarta, several Proterozoic formations outcrop, displaying various structures (unpublished EREM, 1978 to 1987; Bouima, 1986, 2002; Remichi, 1987; Ait-Kaci, 1990; Duée et al., 1992; Zerrouki, 1993, 2000). These formations present lithological features that suggest a correlation with those known in their Moroccan counterparts. On the surface, the Proterozoic formations of the Ougarta chain become progressively younger from east (Sebkha El Mellah) to west (Damrane). The highly folded Sebkhat El Mellah series is likely related to the base of the PII-2, while the sedimentary formation of Damrane would correspond to its top. These formations were established before the first Pan-African tectonic phase. The Damrane massif consists of three formations (sedimentary, andesitic-basaltic, and rhyolitic) separated by structural unconformities (Preidl et al., 1985). These characteristics, combined with a very low degree of alteration, make the rhyolitic formation equivalent to the P-III of the Anti-Atlas, on which Cambrian deposits are stratigraphically unconformable. North of Béchar, the lithological and structural characteristics of the dolomite formations and shales of ThéniaZerga (north of Boukais) can be attributed to the PII-2 of the Anti-Atlas. Above these, the “limestone” and “red sandstone” series of Boukais are found. The Boukais volcanic series (north of Béchar) is considered PIII. Its formation is characterized by transtensive events that generated “pull-apart” basins, similar to those in the Anti-Atlas. It differs from the basaltic andesite formation of Damrane in its composition and the nature of the transition from red sandstones to volcanic facies.