As we start work on our new research project, we took a short fieldtrip to the (snowy!) High Atlas to explore the study area and collect some initial rock samples for cosmogenic dating.
The trip included a visit to our "base of operations" at the village of Imlil, with surrounding valleys, including the Arromd valley being a focus research area. We also visited the village (and ski resort) of Oukaïmeden, a possible site for coring and exploration of environmental change during the Holocene using pollen analysis. We also met up with colleagues from Marrakech University to discuss how we can work together to achieve the aims of the project (more on this in a future blog post).
Overall, a successful first outing for our project, although not without its problems! Heavy rain in the days leading up to the trip caused a rock fall blocking the road to Imlil, forcing an unscheduled stay in Marrakech for the first night. An earthquake, a flat tyre, and lots of snow also made for a memorable trip, an important reminder to expect the unexpected.
Next year, we have planned several more trips to the High Atlas to carry out fieldwork and collect samples, which we'll keep you up to date with.
See more photos from our fieldtrip in our photo gallery, or check out our Instagram account.
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