Cadi Ayyad University Unravels Earth’s Magnetic Mysteries from 565 Million Years Ago
Cadi Ayyad University is proud to announce the participation of its researchers in a major international study, published in the prestigious journal Science Advances, offering new insights into a pivotal chapter of Earth’s geological history.
Conducted in collaboration with Yale University (USA) and several European institutions in Germany, Russia, and Switzerland, the research sheds light on the behavior of the Earth’s magnetic field approximately 565 million years ago, at the close of the Precambrian during the Ediacaran period.
For decades, scientists have grappled with a long-standing puzzle: rocks from this era exhibit highly unstable and chaotic magnetic orientations, far exceeding those observed in earlier or later geological periods. Two primary hypotheses had been proposed to explain this phenomenon: either the Earth’s tectonic plates moved at exceptionally high speeds, or the entire crust underwent a global reorientation, a process known as “true polar wander.” The new findings, based on precise paleomagnetic and statistical analyses, rule out these extreme scenarios. Rather than being purely chaotic, the Earth’s magnetic field during this period displayed rapid but structured variations, reflecting the complex dynamics of the terrestrial geodynamo.
Morocco, and particularly Cadi Ayyad University, played a central role in this discovery. Researchers examined volcanic rock samples from the Bou Azzer region of the Anti-Atlas. Through meticulous layer-by-layer stratigraphic sampling and high-precision uranium–lead dating of zircon crystals, They determined that the Bou Azzer volcanic rocks date back to approximately 567 million years ago. and revealed that magnetic field variations followed a coherent global pattern. This Moroccan contribution underscores the richness of the nation’s geological heritage and positions the Anti-Atlas outcrops as internationally recognized reference sites for studying ancient geodynamic phenomena.
These results open new avenues for global scientific research. They provide critical data to improve reconstructions of ancient continental and oceanic positions, refine models of Earth’s internal dynamics, and enhance understanding of the evolution of the magnetic field, a key component in protecting our planet from solar radiation. For Morocco, this study highlights the exceptional scientific value of its natural laboratories and demonstrates the active role of Moroccan researchers in major international projects.
Through this collaborative achievement, Cadi Ayyad University reaffirms its commitment to advancing high-level scientific research and strengthening international partnerships in the geosciences. The University also celebrates the remarkable contributions of its professors, particularly Prof. Moulay Ahmed Boumehdi and Prof. Nasrrddine Youbi, whose expertise and scholarly leadership have established Morocco as a key player in understanding Earth’s most significant geological phenomena.
Contact:
Prof. Moulay Ahmed Boumehdi
Professor, Head of the Department of Geology
Prof. Nasrrddine Youbi
Professor Emeritus
Vice-President for North Africa, Geological Society of Africa (GSAf)
Expert, Scientific Committees, National Centre for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST, Rabat, Morocco)
Cadi Ayyad University – Faculty of Sciences Semlalia
Department of Geology
Boulevard Prince Moulay Abdellah, P.O. Box 2390, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
Tel: +212 (524) 43 46 49 Mobile: +212 (661) 282864 / +212 (654) 477796
📧 Emails: boumehdi@uca.ac.ma / youbi@uca.ac.ma
