Research Journal of Earth Sciences 1 (2): 62-68, 2009

ISSN 1995-9044
© IDOSI Publications, 2009

Characterization of Hercynian Gabbroic Complex Massif of

Koudiat El Khil Middle Jebilet Morocco Using Magnetic Susceptibility Variation

Ali Bajja and El M. Aarab

Department of geology Faculty of Sciences Semlalia Cadi Ayyad University Marrakech, Morocco

Abstract: Measurements of magnetic susceptibility on the gabbroic formations in situ of Koudiat El khil
(Middle Jebilet), allows to confirm spatial distribution of the various lithostratigphical facies constituting this
hercynian terrane. Measurements were carried out using the portable torch Kapameter according to transverse
profiles of the magmatic body. For a best positioning of measurements, without worries to miss any lithological
varieties and to work according to a well defined mesh, the equidistant between localities were made using the
GPS instrument. Applying this technique in these conditions allows highlighting the presence of a small
outcrop of ultrabasic rocks, which was not mapped out during former works. As the value of magnetic
susceptibility is a function of the importance of ferromagnetic and paramagnetic minerals in the rocks,
measurements obtained reflect well the mineralogical variation and as a result to limit each rock variety.
Conciliating this method of magnetic susceptibility with petrographic and geochemical studies could therefore
to define five lithofacies. They are ultabasic cummulats, ferro-gabbros, ferro-diorites, isotropic gabbros and
aplites. These rocks show average values of the magnetic susceptibility going of 11,2 * 10G3 IS for the
ultrabasic cummulats to 0,31 * 10G3 IS for the isotropic gabbros. The pegmatitic pockets present within the ferro-
gabbros and the isotropic gabbros show very low magnetic susceptibility values with average of 0,17 X 10G3
IS, testifying the scarcity of magnetic minerals and confirming the mineral abundance of clear minerals such
plagioclases. This method of measurement allowed also defining on the field the alteration effect as well as
locating these weathering zones and the tectonic structures which are associated. Combining this method with
the geochemical data revealed a positive and progressive correlation with FeO * and TiO2 contents going
from basic to differentiated terms, owing to the effect a magmatic differentiation which is responsible of
diversification of these magmatic rocks.

Key words: Hercynian Gabbroic Complex % Koudiat El Khil % Middle Jebilet% Morocco

INTRODUCTION Combination of the petrographic, geochemical and

magnetic susceptibility data enables to distinguish in
Koudiat El Khil is located at 25 km in NW of space of the massif, the following magmatic varieties
Marrakech, and at 5Km in the South of the mine of Kettara (Fig. 1):
on the Eastern edge of road connecting Marrakech to Safi
(Fig.1 and 2). It is constitued by an assembly of small hills % Ultrabasites.
whose altitude does not exceed 500 m and extended on % Isotropic gabbros,
2 km. At the outcrop, the hills of Koudiat Arhil present a % Ferro-gabbros,
lengthen form warped in its North-East part. Its southern % Quartzic ferro-diorites
stump presents a sub-meridian direction on approximately % Aplites.
450 m width, while the northerner part is oriented NE-SW
with a thickness of a few tens meters. Hills constitute an The lithological change between these different rocks
intrusive magmatic block inside of a thick shistous is progressive. Both clear contacts and nor apparent
formation known as “schist of sarhlef”, consequently to boundaries are not observed crossing the intrusion.
the hercynian orogen effect. A late do1eritic seams with Dense and complex network of faults stakes out
meridian direction cut the magmatic unit. Koudiat Arhil massif and its surrounding metamorphic

Correspoding Author: Ali BAJJA, Department of geology Faculty of Sciences Semlalia Cadi Ayyad University Marrakech
Morocco
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 Res. J. Earth Sci., 1 (2): 62-68, 2009

Fig. 1: Map of hercynian terranes of Jbilets centrals Mrocco according to Huveline 1972 modified

fi
Sa
to

ch
ke
ra
ar
M
To

Fig. 2: Localization of Koudiat El Khil in the eastern side of the Marrakech Safi road. (Google Earth) with transects of
SM measurements

schists. Sometimes faults are discontinuous and generally towards North-West. They constitute excellent
intertwined showing various directions. However these drains to the circulation of the hydrothermal solutions as
faults are frequently oriented N 30 to N 70, with a dip tested by alteration consequences.

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 Res. J. Earth Sci., 1 (2): 62-68, 2009

Gabbroic rocks of Koudiat Arhil and its hosted clinopyroxene and iron oxides. Elsewhere texture is
environment are affected by an important schistosity generally sub-ophitic with dominant plagioclase and
which is subsequently reached again by fracturing events clinopyroxene. Plagioclase crystals present two different
materialized by conjugated plans. Apart from the aspects:
intrusion, regional schistosity presents N20 direction to
N40, while approaching the magmatic body, it tends to C Frequently lengthened sub-euhedral crystals are
shape it. macled with feldspar and/or Carlsbad varieties; some
The studies made in the sector by Zaïm [1], enabled of them are zoned.
him to show that the magmatic bulk is conformable with C Tabular micro-crystals are generally twinned in albite
bedding hosted rocks and is sited on reversed limb of a feldspar and not zoned.
dumped anticline. Stratification plane S0 is sub-meridian
with vertical dip or extremely sloped to the West, whereas As associated minerals actinolitc-and ouralite are
the schistosity S1 presents a less significant dip towards present .These amphiboles would come from the alteration
the West. Additionally, sedimentary marks allowed to of ancient clinopyroxenes. Some small preserved crystals
confirm these results and to establish that the polarity of of clinopyroxene are recognized which are associated with
the gabbroic formation is from West to East. actinolite, chlorites and calcite.
The opaque minerals are not abundant. They
Petrographic Characteristics constitute of small inclusions in mafic minerals or in
Ultra Basic Rocks: This variety of rocks is detected for interstitial position where they tend to surround other
first time by this work owing to magnetic susceptibility mineral phases. Titaniferous oxides are ilmenite kind,
measurements used on the field. It was identified on a recurrently in association with leucoxene.
small west part of the gabbroic complex (Fig. 5). These Towards the centre of the hill gabbros present a
rocks are much altered and present a cumulative texture pegmatitoidic texture represented by preserved
with mainly olivine and infrequent pyroxenes in macro-crystals of clinopyroxene with poecilitic aspect
association of iron oxides. including micro-crystals of ilmenite and plagioclase. Rare
and interstitial crystals of quartz and apatite are as
Gabbroic Rocks: This kind of rocks is divided in accessory mineral phases in this type of rocks.
disproportionate bulk gabbros between the Western
part (tens of meters) and the Eastern edge (a few meters). Ferro-Gabbros: Less abundant than the first type, this
Among the various rocks constituting the solid mass, variety of gabbros is closely linked to the ferro-diorites
gabbroic varieties are clearly most dominant. They in several places. Ferro-gabbros are characterized by
occupy more than two third parties of the total surface of their green aspect for the reason that they are rich in
the intrusion. oxides. Microscopic study show a granular texture with
At the border rocks show a fine grain structure, due plagioclase and amphiboles associated with titaniferous
to fast cooling in contact with schist. To the centre of the oxides and apatite.
massif gabbros present a greenish aspect with coarse Preserved plagioclase has a composition of Labrador
grain texture, which locally become pegmatitic with and andesine. Clinopyroxene is completely transformed
macrocristal individualized minerals of plagioclase and into amphibole and chlorite with inclusion of microcrysts
amphibole. In contact with quartzic ferro-diorites gabbroic of plagioclase and oxides. The opaque minerals are
rocks are considerably dark as iron oxides are abundant. relatively abundant and present different sizes and varied
Two major differentiate facies were distinguished forms. They consist of small granulated pieces or skeletal
regarding to microscopic features: isotropic gabbros and crystals with more important size.
ferro-gabbros. This distinction is confirmed by chemical As for the precedent facies apatite and interstitial
data. quartz are present.

Isotropic Gabbros: This gabbroic type is the most Quartzic Ferro-Diorites: This sort of rocks outcrops on
represented. It constitutes the abundant mass in the few tens metres square at eastern side of the hill. The
western part and a narrow band towards the eastern edge. pegmatitic texture is represented by primary crysts
Its borders present a fine intersertal texture with abundant of plagioclases and amphibole in a quartzo-felsitic
plagioclase crystals rounded by small spaces filled by ground mass. Composition mineralogical of these rocks

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 Res. J. Earth Sci., 1 (2): 62-68, 2009

SM vs Lat
100 SMvs Long
100

SM (10-3 USI)
SM (10-3 USI)

10 10

1 1

0.1 0.1
239,300.00 239,800.00 240,300.00 240,800.00 241,300.00 139,500.00 139,700.00 139,900.00 140,100.00 140,300.00
Lat Long

Fig. 3: Variation of magnetic susceptibility according to latitude and longitude in Koudiat Elkhil hills

12 % Vol
-3
MS x10 SI
Gabb
60
UB
10

40

Fe Ga

4
20

Fe D
2
A+P
Fe Ga Fe D UB
Gabb A+P
0
0

Fig. 4: Illustration of variation of MS and volume for various types of rocks of Koudait El Khil. UB: ultra-basic;
Gabb: isotropic Gabbros; Fe Ga: Ferro-gabbros; Fe D: ferro-diorites; A+P: Aplites and pegmatitic pockets

consists of andésine-oligoclase plagioclase, some altered NE-SW, measures were operated according to transversal
hornblende-actinolitic, amphibole in associations with profiles (Fig. 2). In order to precise in space each
quartz chlorite and calcite. Titaniferous minerals present locality of obtained data this work is coupled by GPS
a composition of ilmenite. informations. Although that magnetic studies is limited
where gabbroic rocks present various facies, number of
Aplites: This kind of rocks presents disseminates data was accede two hundred. For each measurement
metric pockets within quartzic ferro-diorites. It appears locality and petrographic feature of rock is marked. This
leucocratic since it rich in quartz and albite and reduced procedure permits to compile magnetic susceptibility (MS)
in ferromagnesian minerals. Evolutional passage from of every variety of rocks (Fig. 4).
quartzic ferro-diorites to sodic aplites is marked by the In order to show variation the magnetic susceptibility
reduction in the proportions of amphibole at the expense in space, this factor is represented versus latitude and
of quartz and albite in symplectitic texture. Green and longitude (Fig. 3). Examination of this variation illustrate
brown chlorite, calcite, small ilmenite inclusions, zircon that there are two distinguished groups of measurements
and apatite compose a rest of mineral ground mass. according in opposition to the latitude. The illustration of
magnetic susceptibility versus the longitude provides
Magnetic Measurements evidence of five distinguished groups of data giving a
Field Measuring: The field measurements of the magnetic global view in space of MS variation. In two cases one
susceptibility were used by KT 6 kapameter. As the group of data exposes high values of MS. It corresponds
outcrop of gabbroic rocks of Koudiat Elkhil is oriented to the ultra-basic variety of rocks, which are discovered

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 Res. J. Earth Sci., 1 (2): 62-68, 2009

Fig. 5: Spatial variation of MS showing the relationship with magmatic rocks types on the field

for the first time by this physical method. The other three appear ferro-gabbros and ferro-diorites. Aplites and
groups of MS data cover all other kinds of magmatic rocks pegmatitic facies with depleted values of Ms are
in the massif. They are: ferro-gabbros, ferro-diorites, represented by depressions or holes. They are related to
isotropic gabbros and aplites. To illustrate further this the two last kinds of rocks.
distinction in MS values of these different rocks, SM is
reported versus the nature and the representative volume Thermomagnetic Treatments: Some samples are
of each kind of rocks in the field (Fig. 4), Fouzi [2] and selected for thermomagnetic analyses. Laboratory
Aarab [3]. investigations of thermomagnetic properties of specimens
In spite of its small representative volume, ultra-basic from gabbroic complex of Koudiat Elkhil have been
rocks show the high values of MS, followed by ferro- performed. They were heated between room temperature
gabbros and ferro-diorites while isotropic gabbros are and 700°C with Argon and cooled to-192°c temperature
the most abundant are less magnetic. Aplites pegmatitic using Nitrogen liquid in the presence of a magnetic field.
pockets with very low MS values constitute minor Treatments were realized in magnetic laboratory of
varieties which are closely related to ferro-diorites. geology and paleontology of Heidelberg University.
Abundance of iron oxides do not reflected the magnetic Thermomagnetic susceptibility measurements [6 (T)] were
significance of each rock type, for raison that ilmenite made using the Kappabridge KLY-2 apparatus combined
constitutes the principal titanic iron mineral in ferro- with CS-3/CS-L in fields of 300A/m. The volume of
gabbros and ferro-diorites. Consequently magnetic analyzed material is around 1 cm3. Data processing and
behaviour is related to disseminate grains of magnetite correction for furnace susceptibility were done using the
difficultly observed by microscope. computer [4].
In order to illustrate the variation of MS according to This technique gives information on the mineral
the distribution of different types of rocks on the field, composition of the magnetic phases present in the
this factor is reported versus latitude and longitude magnetic fraction of the rock. It looks like standard
(Fig. 5). This representation allows that the ultrabasic analytical methods in geochemistry. Each magnetic
rocks which have the highest values are located in mineral is characterized by its Curie temperature
South-west of the gabbroic massif. In the second place value. For isotropic Gabbros and ferro-diorites of study
emerge isotropic gabbros with less picks of Ms sketching area two examples of temperature-dependent low-field
out a line oriented N-E. In side of isotropic gabbros susceptibility measurements are shown in Fig. 6.

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 Res. J. Earth Sci., 1 (2): 62-68, 2009

2.4

normalized susceptibility
1.4 B

Normed susceptibility
A cooling
1.2 heating 2
1 1.6
cooling heating
0.8 1.2
0.6
0.4 0.8
0.2 0.4
0 0
-200 0 200 400 600 -200 0 200 400 600
T°C T°c

Fig. 6: Thermomagnetic behaviour for two representative samples of isotropic GabbrosJK8 (A) and ferro-diorites
JK7(B) of Koudiat El khil massif. Heating: solid line, cooling: dashed line

TiO2
FeO t

20 8

16
6
12
4
8
2 SM *10-3
4
SM *10-3
0 0
0.1 0.3 0.5 0.7 0.9 0 0.5 1

Fig. 7: Variation of magnetic susceptibility versus iron and titanium in various varieties of rocks of Koudiat ElKhil.
Ferro-gabbros (lozenges); Ferro-diorites (circles), isotropic Gabbros (triangles); and Aplites (squares)

Sample JK8 (Fig.6A), shows reversible behaviour kind of rockd which are magnetic. Whereas ferro-diorites
during the heating-cooling cycle, indicating that no present fewer iron component, followed by isotropic
secondary mineral phase has been produced during gabbros slightly less magnetic, so they expose both a
heating. The most usually occurring Curie points are comparable MS importance. We would like to point out
between 570 °C and 590 °C, indicating the presence of that the designate of ferro-gabbros and ferro-diorites
magnetite in the two cases (Fig. 6AandB). However was done regarding to the importance of opaque
sample JK 7 proves a variable increase and an asymmetric minerals using microscope by Fouzi [2]. Microprobe
shape of [6(T)] curve, with more magnetic susceptibility analytic data of these crystals reveal composition of
values for cooling part. In each investigation, most of ilmenite. Hence abundance of this mineral contributes
the susceptibility is lost after 580°C indicating that significantly on the magnetic susceptibility. This explains
magnetite is the main carrier. Higher than 580°C, the a relationship between titanium, which is important
heating curves show the presence of hematite, but with a (until 6.5%) and MS variation Fig.7. This correlation is
small contribution. moreover equivalent to that of iron element for rocks
varieties.
Magnetic Susceptibility and Geochemistry Relationship:
In order to illustrate that magnetic susceptibility is closely CONCLUSION
related to iron content in gabbroic rocks; chemical data
performed by Faouzi [2] for theses rocks are reported The magnetic susceptibility study performed on the
versus MS values of each rock types. It is required to hercynian gabbroic complex of Koudiat El Khil permitted
indicate that ultra-basic rocks are not yet be analysed for the first time to point out presence of a new lithofacies
because they did not be discovered by this author. of ultra-basic-rocks. Secondly a new map of magnetic
A linear evolution of MS is well marked from aplites susceptibility based on the field measurements was done.
until ferro-gabbros. As it was revealed above in Figure 4, The study allows having a spatial distribution of various
except for ultra-basic rocks, ferro-gabbros are the second rocks types according to magnetic susceptibility variation

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 Res. J. Earth Sci., 1 (2): 62-68, 2009

trough the hill of gabbroic massif. In general five different REFERENCES

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