Longitudinal Profile and Geomorphological Processes of the Oued Qarya in Relation to Lithology and Tectonics (Morocco)

Abstract:

Oued Qarya is a left-bank tributary of Oued Zloul (Sebou basin). Its basin drains an area of 323 km² from the northwestern slope of the Middle Atlas, folded in the province of Sefrou. These are heterogeneous geological terrains of the Lower and Middle Jurassic, dominated by the carbonate rocks of Lias (the mountain of the folded Middle Atlas). In a mountain area with relatively steep slopes, the organization of the hydrographic network and its hydrodynamic functioning are largely influenced by the inclination of the geological formations, the lithology of the terrain, and a dense network of tectonic accidents from the Alpine orogeny, some of which were reactivated during the Quaternary. This study presents the results of the analysis of the morphometry of the main watercourse, the concavity, and the slope breaks of the longitudinal profile of the Oued Qarya. It is essentially based on the determination of their morphometric characteristics, in particular the asymmetry factor (AF), the topographic asymmetry index (TTSI), as well as the concavity indices (IC) and (Er), the slope index (SL), and the index of the slope gradient (k). The results obtained highlight the relationship between the values of these indices and the arrangement of geological formations, the lithology of the terrain, and the influence of tectonics on the longitudinal profiles. The watercourse tends to deviate in the direction of the inclination of the geological formations. In addition, the concavity of the profile is stronger on less resistant geological formations (marl), compared to the sections developed on hard geological formations of limestone and liasic dolomites. In addition, the longitudinal slope of the profiles is generally accentuated on resistant soils, while the passage by ruptures coincides with more or less marked breaks in slopes.

• Periodical: International Journal of Engineering Research in Africa (Volume 72)
• Pages: 155-168
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-zqr7QP
• Online since: December 2024
• Authors: Hamid Achiban*, Hassan Achiban, Ali Taous, Safaa Serbouti, Ismail Mansouri, Miloud Afenzar
• Keywords: Asymmetry, Concavity Index, Knickpoints, Ruptures, Slope Failure

References

[1] J.T. Hack, Stream-profile analysis and stream-gradient index. Journal of Research of the U.S. Geological Survey, (1973) 1(4): 421-429.

[2] G. Goldrick., P. Bishop, Differentiating the roles of lithology and uplift in the steepening of bedrock river long profiles: an example from southeastern Australia. The Journal of Geology, (1995) 103(2): 227-231.

DOI: 10.1086/629738

[3] A.R. Duval, E. Kirby, D.W. Burbank, Tectonic and lithologic controls on bedrock channel profiles and processes in coastal California. Journal of Geophysical Research, (2004) 109, F03002.

DOI: 10.1029/2003jf000086

[4] P.J. Larue, 2014, Longitudinal profiles and slope breaks: geomorphological insights from southern Brittany. Physio-Géo, (2014) 8: 49-65.

[5] M. Moumeni, M. Delchiaro, M. D. Seta, R. Nozaem, P. Ballato, J. S. Leonard, R. Clementucci, J. Rouhi, Interplay between tectonics and surface processes in the evolution of mountain ranges: Insights from landscape dynamics, uplift, and active deformation of Talesh Mountains (NW Iranian Plateau margin), Geomorphology 448 (2024) 109029.

DOI: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2023.109029

[6] B. Ghosh, Assessment of basin-scale geomorphic processes based on the analysis of longitudinal profiles: A case study of the Dwarkeswar river, Eastern India, Geology, Ecology, and Landscapes (2023).

DOI: 10.1080/24749508.2023.2202434

[7] A.W. Burnett., S.A. Schumm, alluvial river response to neotectonic deformation in Louisiana and Mississippi. Science (1983), 222: 455-464.

DOI: 10.1126/science.222.4619.49

[8] G. Goldriqk., P. Bishop, Regional analysis of bedrock stream long profiles: evaluation of Hack's SL form, and formulation and assement of an alternative (the DS form). Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, (2007) 32(5): 649-671.

DOI: 10.1002/esp.1413

[9] J.K. Weissel; M.A. Seidl, Inland propagation of erosional escarpments and river profile evolution across the southeast Australian passive continental margin. In TINCKLER, K.J. & WOHL, E.E. (Eds.), Rivers over rock: fluvial processes in bedrock channels. American Geophysical Union, Geophysical Monograph Series, 107, Washington, D.C., (1998) pp.189-206.

DOI: 10.1029/gm107p0189

[10] P. Bishop, T.B. Hoey, J.D. Jansen, I.L. Artza, Knickpoint recession rate and catchment area: the case of uplifted river in Eastern Scotland. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, (2005), 30(6): 767-778.

DOI: 10.1002/esp.1191

[11] K.X. Whipple, G.S. Hancock, R.S. Nanderson,. River incision into bedrock: Mechanics and relative efficacy of plucking, abrasion and cavitation. Geological Society of America Bulletin, (2000), 112(3): 490-503.

DOI: 10.1130/0016-7606(2000)112<0490:riibma>2.3.co;2

[12] H. Achiban, A. Taous, Analysis of phytodiversity of the riparian vegetation of the wadi Bouhellou (Eastern Middle Atlas, Morocco). Geo-Eco-Trop (2023), 46, 2: 175-190.

[13] Francisco Abel Jim´enez-Cantizano, Loreto Ant´on, Stream regularization index. A morphometric approach to quantify the longitudinal profile regularization stage. Geomorphology 424 (2023) 108580.

DOI: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2022.108580

[14] V. Ambili a, A.C. Narayana, Tectonic effects on the longitudinal profiles of the Chaliyar River and its tributaries, southwest India. Geomorphology 217 (2014) 37–47

DOI: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2014.04.013

[15] E.A. Keller. N. Pinter, Active tectonics, Earthquakes, Uplift, and Landscape Second Edition, (2001), 362P.

[16] R.T. Cox. Analysis of drainage-basin symmetry as a rapid technique to identify areas of possible Quaternary tilt-block tectonics: An example from the Mississippi Embayment, (1994), 571–581P.

DOI: 10.1130/0016-7606(1994)106<0571:aodbsa>2.3.co;2

[17] W.B. Langbein, Profiles of rivers of uniform discharge. United States Geological Survey Professional Paper, (1964), 501-B: 119-122.

[18] A. Demoulin, Testing the tectonic significance of some parameters of longitudinal river profiles: the case of the Ardenne (Belgium, NW Europe). Geomorphology, (1998), 24(2-3): 189-208.

DOI: 10.1016/s0169-555x(98)00016-6

[19] J.T. Hack, Studies of longitudinal stream profiles in Virginia and Maryland. Geological Survey Professional Paper, (1957), 249-B: 45-94.

DOI: 10.3133/pp294b

[20] E.A. Keller, N. Pinter, Active tectonics: earthquakes, uplift, and landscape. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddel River, New-Jersey, USA. (1996), 338 p.

[21] K. Obda, A.Taous, A. Sabaoui, M. Amyay,. Hydrology of the Upper Melloulou (Northeastern Middle Atlas). Geomaghrebe, n°5, pp.89-102 (2009).

[22] A. Sabaoui, Structure and alpine evolution of the northern Middle Atlas on the Tleta transverse of Zrerda-Maghraoua. (Southwest of Taza, Morocco). Doctoral thesis, Toulouse. 189 p (1987).

[23] H. Termier, Geological studies on Central Morocco and the Northern Middle Atlas. Notes and Memoirs of the Ministry of Geology of Morocco, Rabat (1936), n° 33, t. 2, pp.743-1082, fig. 48-63.

[24] G. Colo, Contribution to the study of the Jurassic of the Northern Middle Atlas. Notes and Memoirs of the Geological Service of Morocco, Rabat (1962), n° 139, 226 p., 28 fig., Atlas h.t.: 22 p., 21 pl., 1 carte.

[25] D. Robillard, Stratigraphic and structural study of the Northern Middle Atlas (Taza Region, Morocco). Third Cycle Thesis, Lille, 178p (1978).

[26] K. Benshili, Lias-Dogger of the Folded Middle Atlas (Morocco). Sedimentology, biostratigraphy, and paleogeographic evolution. Third Cycle Thesis, Lyon, 285P (1989).

[27] A. Akasbi, D. Sadki, A. Akhssas, B. Fedan, Sedimentary dynamics and tectono-eustatic control of deposits in the Upper Toarcian-Lower Bajocian interval of the Southeast Folded Middle Atlas (Morocco) (2001), Bulletin of the Scientific Institute, Rabat, Earth Sciences section, 2001, n°23, 39-46.

[28] A. Charrier, D. Ouarhache, H. El-Arabi, New Geological and Mining Guide of Morocco. Volume IV. The Middle Atlas. Notes and Memoirs of the Geological Service. N° 559 (2011).

[29] H. Termier, Geological studies on central Morocco and the northern Middle Atlas. Notes and Memoirs of the Mining and Mapping Service. Géol, (1936). n°33, 1566 p.

[30] R. du Dresnay, Sedimentation discontinuities during the Jurassic in the eastern part of the Moroccan Atlas domain: their stratigraphic consequences and their relationship with the Atlas orogeny. Int. Jurassic Colloquium. Luxembourg (1962), Inst. Grand ducal Luxembour gédit., 1962, P. 899-912.

[31] J. Guex, Biostratigraphic overview of the Lower Toarcian in the Moroccan Middle Atlas and discussion on the zonation of this substage in Mediterranean series. Eclogae geol. Helv., Bâle, (1973) vol. 66, no 3, pp.493-523.

[32] M. Laadila, Structural study of the northern Middle Atlas (El-Adrej region), Morocco. Second Cycle Thesis, Rabat. (1980).

[33] P. Manopkawee, N. Mankhemthong, C. Pattarakamolsen, Tectonic and lithologic controls on the landscape adjustment along the eastern terrain of the Mae Tha fault, northern Thailand. Geologica Acta, 21.4, 1-22. DOI: 10.1344/GeologicaActa 2023.21.4.

DOI: 10.1344/geologicaacta2023.21.4

[34] W. KHAN, K. ZHANG and H. LIANG, Evaluating the neotectonic activities of the Eastern Makran at the northern edge of the triple junction in southwest Pakistan. Turkish J Earth Sci (2024) 33: 176-191, © TÜBİTAK.

DOI: 10.55730/1300-0985.1905

[35] A. Raha, M. Biswas, S. Mukherjee, Application of TOPSIS model in active tectonic prioritization: Madeira watershed, South America. Journal of South American Earth Sciences 129 (2023) 104502

DOI: 10.1016/j.jsames.2023.104502

[36] M.J. Mathew, D. Menier, N. Siddiqui, S.G. Kumar, C. Authemayou. Active tectonic deformation along rejuvenated faults in tropical Borneo: inferences obtained from tectono-geomorphic evaluation. Geomorphology, (2016) 267, 1–15.

DOI: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2016.05.016

[37] O.M.A. Radaideh, J. Mosar, Tectonics controls on fluvial landscapes and drainage development in the westernmost part of Switzerland: Insights from DEM-derived geomorphic indices. Techtonophysics, 768 (2019) 228179.

DOI: 10.1016/j.tecto.2019.228179

[38] R.T. Cox, R.B. Van Arsdale, J.B. Harris, Identification of possible Quaternary deformation in the northeastern Mississippi Embayment using quantitative geomorphic analysis of drainage-basin asymmetry. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. (2001) 113 (5), 615–624. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606 (2001)113.

DOI: 10.1130/0016-7606(2001)113<0615:iopqdi>2.0.co;2

[39] A.d.J.G. Guillén, M.C. Nolasco and P.T. Amorim Castro, Modeling of fluvial base levels in the Jacuípe River basin, Semi‐arid Northeastern Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Geomorfologia, v. 24, nº 3 (2023).

DOI: 10.20502/rbg.v24i3.2358

[40] J.P. Larue, Longitudinal river profiles and tectonics: the example of the Aumance basin (Central Massif, France). Norois, (2008) 207(2): 71-84.

DOI: 10.4000/norois.1868

[41] W. Zanet, B. Adalto, G. Lima, B. Z. Prina, N. Boettcher1, Morphometric indicators of the Várzea Basin (RS) as markers of fluvial landscape imbalance. Revista Brasileira de Geografia Física v.16, n.6 (2023) 3298-3311.

DOI: 10.26848/rbgf.v16.6.p3298-3311

[42] F. A. Jim´enez-Cantizano, L. Anton, Stream regularization index. A morphometric approach to quantify the longitudinal profile regularization stage. Geomorphology 424 (2023) 108580

DOI: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2022.108580

[43] Hs. Achiban, Hm. Achiban, A.Taous, R. Addou and I. Mansouri, Quantification of Bed Load Transport in the Northern Part of the Central Plateau of Morocco: Case of Wadi Skhirate. International Journal of Engineering Research in Africa (2024), ISSN: 1663-4144, Vol. 69, pp.155-168.

DOI: 10.4028/p-Yz8VsX

[44] Hm. Achiban, Hs. Achiban, A. Taous, Influence of lithology and tectonics on the longitudinal profiles of the Bouhellou river and its tributaries (northern Middle Atlas, Morocco). Geo-Eco-Trop. (2020), 44, 4: 571-583.