Eastern Rif E–W active tectonic extension is parallel to the Alboran Sea coast.

Grabens are connected with Alboran Sea, while horsts correspond to resistant rocks.

N–S faults are normal at surface but sinistral and seismogenic at depth.

Faults extend to the Alboran Sea but terminate onshore in areas of thick crust.

Radial extensional paleostresses are found in fault terminations.