Conference at Euromed Polytechnic School by Prof. Ahmed El Hassani “The Geologists’ Paradise - A Journey Through Time in the Kingdom of Morocco”

According to Pierre Despujols, "Despite its position at the gates of Europe, Morocco remained, until the beginning of the last century, as mysterious as the most distant lands. Is it not, however, the cradle of geology?"

Indeed, our speaker, Prof. Dr. Ahmed El Hassani, resident member of the Hassan II Academy of Science and Technology, confirms that " Morocco is considered geologically among the countries that fairly comprehensively recount the geological history of the globe (from the Archean to the Quaternary). It therefore presents a major interest for the international scientific community; which is why it is regularly visited by a large number of geologists from the five continents. In addition to the great diversity of geological terrains, several stratotypes and fossil groups have been identified in Morocco where they are best represented on a planetary scale. These riches remain to this day unknown to the majority of Moroccans, including managers of natural areas, and even the non-specialized scientific community. This encourages the conduct of "inventory" type studies which geologists rarely undertake, but which have a fundamental role in raising public awareness for the preservation, valorization and rational use of this heritage. »

Prof. Dr. Ahmed Hassani in " The Geologists’ Paradise - A Journey Through Time in the Kingdom of Morocco ", Hassan II Academy Press