Geological Sites of the Anergui Region: Description and Place in the Alpine Geological History of the M'goun UNESCO Global Geopark (Morocco)

The M'goun UNESCO Global Geopark is located in the central part of the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco. Numerous studies have highlighted the richness of the geological heritage of this area. Despite these increased efforts in characterization, some areas, such as Anergui, remain underexplored. This mediation work aims to describe the most significant geological landscapes of this region and place them within the broader geological history framework of the UNESCO M'Goun Geopark, thereby enriching the list of geosites within this geopark and promoting geological awareness in the area. This study focused on describing 16 geosites selected based on scientific, educational and geotourism values. These geosites stand out for their geodiversity, showcasing both deep-seated and surface geological phenomena. They provide an excellent framework for understanding the alpine geological history of the M'Goun Geopark. Each site bears witness to one or several key stages of this history, highlighting the extension of the High Atlas basin, the development of carbonate platforms, Jurassic diapirism and magmatism, Late Cretaceous and Tertiary compression, Tertiary and Quaternary uplift, and erosion, resulting in a variety of geological features relating to deformation and alteration.