The Iknioun granodiorite, tectonic marker of Ediacaran SE-directed tangential movements in the Eastern Anti-Atlas, Morocco

The Iknioun granodiorite (Eastern Saghro, Anti-Atlas) of Ediacaran age displays a regular pattern of magmatic lineations and foliations determined through an anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) study. S-sigmoid features outlined by these lineations and top-to-the-SE movements in the adjacent country rocks show that the emplacement of this pluton was related to the E–W-trending dextral transpressive movements previously described in the Saghro inlier. Consequently, this pluton appears as a particularly useful tectonic marker for the Ediacaran evolution of this part of the Anti-Atlas which constituted the northern border of the West African Craton.

► The fabrics of the Iknioun Ediacaran granodiorite are determined through an AMS study. ► These magmatic fabrics are related to an E–W dextral transpression. ► This pluton is a good marker of the deformation of this part of the Pan-African belt.