INVESTIGATION OF ACTIVE FAULTS IN MOROCCO USING MORPHOMETRIC METHODS AND DRAINAGE PATTERN-ANALYSIS

A survey has been done of recently active faults in Morocco. In additi on to field observations, morphometric methods were applied and an ana lysis was made of the drainage pattern. In the morphometric analysis, a map of vertical deformation was established from the elevations of s ummit level surfaces. This enables the recognition of neotectonic disc ontinuities and lithological contrasts; the actual discrimination of d ifferent rock-types can only be achieved by comparison with field obse rvations. The analysis of drainage patterns - including their perturba tions and anomalies - can also reveal the presence of features due to neotectonics, structural control or lithological variation. Certain fa ults can be detected which correspond to structures known from field g eology or remote sensing (NE-SW and NW-SE oriented sets). Some new fau lts are observed which belong to these sets, as well as others which d efine a new N-S trending set. The present analysis leads to a distinct ion between ancient faults and currently active faults. The results of this study are shown on a map of recently active faults where the res pective vertical displacements are also indicated.