depocenters (Sinemurian). Normal faulting and block tilting increased notably during Pliensbachian times, resulting in north to south compartmentalization of the basin. Pliensbachian carbonate platforms preferentially developed in the margins basin and in synsedimentary structural highs, promoting abrupt transitions in the marine sedimentary record from shallow water to basinal facies. Toarcian Global anoxia during the latest Pliensbachian and the earliest Toarcian occurred in close association with regional drowning of the lower Liassic platforms and localized deposition of basinal marls. From Toarcian times, carbonate platforms of the Azilal Formation developed in the margins of the central High Atlas basin, whereas the basin axis was occupied by a mixed carbonate-siliciclastic platform system prograding eastward to basinal deposits. This mixed system progressively graded to an extensive shallow water carbonate platform of the Anoual Formation, Bajocian to early Bathonian in age that is recognized throughout the central High Atlas. Cretaceous Finally, the middle Dogger to Lower Cretaceous red beds record the sedimentation of continental to shallow marine transitional deposits that characterize the central High Atlas domain. Fully marine environmental conditions and platform carbonate deposits, which locally crop out in the margins of the Atlas System, dominated between Aptian and Cenomanian times. Areas of interest At the foot of the High Atlas one finds Aït Benhaddou, a ksar (Maghribi , fortified village) still in use. The ksar is widely used in the film industry. At approximately mid-range, the Amesfrane Rock Wall rises some from a dry riverbed wadi. The formation is composed of rounded columns patterned with horizontal ridges that occurred as a result of erosion, which caused travellers to nickname it "the Cathedral", for its resemblance to a gothic cathedral. Among the summits at a height of height lies the Kasbah of Telouet on the road to Marrakech. The canyons and ravines of the Dadès and the Todra are also points of interest. See also Mediterranean woodlands and forests Mediterranean conifer and mixed forests Mediterranean High Atlas juniper steppe References Bibliography Ecology publications C. Michael Hogan (2008) Barbary Macaque: Macaca sylvanus, Globaltwitcher.com, ed. Nicklas Stromberg Joseph Dalton Hooker, John Ball and George Maw (1878) Journal of a Tour in Morocco and the Great Atlas, Macmillan and company, 499 pages Geology publications External links Photo Gallery of Morocco and the High Atlas Accommodation in Imlil Mountain ranges of the Atlas Mountains Mountain ranges of Morocco