Lithostratigraphy and sedimentology of the latest Cretaceous-early Burdigalian Tamezzakht succession (Northern Rif, Morocco): consequences for its sequence stratigraphic interpretation

The Tamezzakht succession (Maastrichtian–middle Burdigalian), situated at the fringe between the Internal and the External zones, displays contrasting lithologies with abrupt facies changes, discontinuities, and/or coarse-grained calciturbidite in between. These criteria allow the definition of seven main lithostratigraphic formations.Depositional environments (oxygenation levels, trophic conditions, omission histories, among others) and/or transgressive/regressive trends are inferred from integrated sedimentologic data including facies change, cyclicity pattern and the textural composition of the turbidite facies tracts. Special emphasis is given to the ichnological features.Taking into account the extended time-range, the position between the internal zones and the external ones, as well as the clear differentiation into several contrasting sedimentary formations, the Tamezzakht succession is expected to provide useful stratigraphic data for the regional correlations.