The fracturing role in the conditioning of karst groundwater circulations in the calcareous Dorsal (Northern Rif, Morocco)

Natural fracturing includes all the mechanical discontinuities affecting the rock matrix. These natural fractures usually constitute preferential drains or permeability barriers which partially control the movement of fluids during production. The fracturing map of the Calcareous Dorsale in the Northern Rif was established using remote sensing (photo-interpretation) and GIS techniques, as well as field measurements of fractures randomly distributed in six microtectonic stations.Firstly, using the above mentioned approaches the main sets of fractures are detected. The dominant direction of fractures corresponds to the NE-SW direction which also coincides with the dominant orientation of the hydrographic network. Thus, the results from these two methodological approaches permit the development of a hypothetical scenario of karst groundwater circulations between the different units of the study area and other nearby units.