Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Mapping subsurface structural lineaments using the tilt angle map from gravity gradient data and Euler deconvolution, Lakouat–Aksab region, Northwestern Tunisia

  • Research Article - Applied Geophysics
  • Published:
Acta Geophysica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

To gain insight into the organization of the underlying structures in the northern Tunisia region, detailed gravity data in combination with geological information have been investigated.

Many techniques have been used, including residual, upward continuations and derivative. Results from the edge detection technique based on the tilt angle map generated from the first vertical gradient were discussed and compared with results obtained by Euler deconvolution. The compilation and comparison of gravity maps and geology maps enable the determination of major structural trends. It validates specific structural elements acquired from outcrops and specifies new ones. According to the gravity data interpretation, the area of study is impacted by several underlying structural trends. The main trend direction is NE–SW, which is closely linked to the J Chehid and Bled Tejra Akseb trends. NW–SE direction is the second significant trend that borders Bled El Ghorfa to the north. Additional determined trends include: the N–S direction, which is associated with the Lakouat fault. A strong correlation was noted between results from tilt angle method and Euler deconvolution, showing that they may both be used to delineate the main structural framework of the region.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig.3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig.7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adil S (1993) Dynamique du Trias dans le Nord de la Tunisie. Bassins en relais multiples de decrochement, magmatisme et implications minieres. These Doct. 3eme cycle, Univ. Tunis II, Tunisia, p 249

  • Alouani R (1991) Le Jurassique du Nord de la Tunisie, marqueurs géodynamiques d’une marge transformante: turbidites, radiolarites et métamorphisme. Université de Tunis, Thèse de Thèse de Doctorat ès-Sciences

    Google Scholar 

  • Masrouhi A, Koyi HA (2012) Submarine ‘salt glacier’of Northern Tunisia, a case of Triassic salt mobility in North African Cretaceous passive margin. Geol Soc 363:579–593. https://doi.org/10.1144/SP363.29

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amiri A, Chaqui A, Nasr Hamdi I, Inoubli MH, Ben Ayed N, Tlig S (2011) Role of preexisting faults in the geodynamic evolution of Northern Tunisia, insights from gravity data from the Madjerda valley. Tectonophysics 506:1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2011.03.004

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Arfaoui M, Inoubli MH, Tlig S, Alouani R (2011) Gravity analysis of salt structures an example from the El Kef-Ouargha region (northern Tunisia). Geophys Prospect 59:576–591. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2478.2010.00941.x

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Balti H, Hachani F, Kadri A, Gasmi M (2016) Subsurface structure of Teboursouk and El Krib plains (dome zone, northern Tunisia) by gravity analysis. J Afr Earth Sci 119:78–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2016.03.015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benassi R (2013) Geodynamic evolution of Jbel Cheid (Northern Tunisian Atlas) from geophysical and geological data. Arab J Geosci 6:1173–1182. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-011-0416-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benassi R, Jallouli C, Hammami M, Turki MM (2006) The structure of Jebel El Mourra, Tunisia: a diapiric structure causing a positive gravity anomaly. Terra Nova 18:432–439. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3121.2006.00709.x

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Blakely R, Simpson R (1986) Approximating edges of sources bodies from magnetic or gravity anomalies. Geophysics 51:1494–1498. https://doi.org/10.1190/1.1442197

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Blakely R J (1996) Potentiel theory in gravity and magnetic applications. Cambridge University Press, pp 441

  • Bournas N, Galdéano A, Mohamed M, Baker H (2003) Interpretation of the aeromagnetic map of eastern Hoggar (Algeria) using the Euler deconvolution.analytic signal and local wavenumber methods. J Afr Earth Sci 37:191–205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2002.12.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buness H, Giese P, Bobier C et al (1992) The EGT’85seismic experiment in Tunisia; a reconnaissance of deep structres. Tectonophyisics 207:245–267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castany G (1952) Paléogéographie, tectonique et orogenèse de la Tunisie. Monographies régionales. 2ème série: Tunisie-N°1, pp 63

  • Chikhaoui M (2002) La zone des diapirs en Tunisie; cadre structural et évolution géodynamique de la sédimentation méso-cénosoique et géométrie des corps triasiques. Thèse de doctorat, Université Tunis El Manar, FST, 323

  • Cohen CR, Schamel S, Boyd-Kaygi P (1980) Neocene deformation in Northern Tunisia: origin of the eastern Atlas by microplate-continental collision. Geol Soc Am Er Bull 91:205–237

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper GRJ, Cowan DR (2006) Enhancing potential field data using filters based on the local phase. Comput Geosci 32:1585–1591. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2006.02.016

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Cordell L, Grauch VJS (1985) Mapping basement magnetization zones from aeromagnetic data in the San Juan basin, New Mexico. In: Hinzc WJ (ed), The Utility of Regional Gravity and Magnetic Anomaly Maps: Soc. Expl. Geophys, pp 181–197

  • Crampon N (1973) Disposition et modalités de mise en place du complexe salifère M. Solignac. Annales Des Mines Et De La Géologie, Tunis 26:269–272

    Google Scholar 

  • Dali (1979) Etude géologique de la région de gaafour. Thèse de 3ème cycle. Univercité de Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris VI, pp 110

  • Dali (1994) Carte géologique 1/50 000 de Gaafour

  • Fairhad JD and Williams SE (2006) Evaluating normalized magnetic derivatives for structural mapping, SEG, New Orleans Extended Abstract, pp 845–849. https://doi.org/10.1190/1.2370388

  • Fedi M, Florio G (2001) Detection of potential field source boundaries by enhanced horizontal derivative method. Geophys Prospect 49:40–58. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2478.2001.00235.x

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta VK, Ramani N (1980) Some aspects of regional-residual separation of gravity anomalies in Precambrean terrain. Geophysics 45:1412–1426. https://doi.org/10.1190/1.1441130

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hachani F, Balti H, Kadri A, Gasmi M (2016) Gravity data from the Teboursouk Area (“Diapirs Zone”, Northern Tunisia): characterization of deep structures and updated tectonic pattern. Acta Geophys 64(2):379–397. https://doi.org/10.1515/acgeo-2015-0072

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hamdi Nasr I, Amiri A, Inoubli MH, Ben Salem A, Chaqui A, Tlig S (2011) Structural setting of Northern Tunisia insights from gravity data analysis, Jendouba case study. Pure Appl Geophys 168:1835–1849. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-010-0189-7

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hamdi Nasr I, Ben Salem A, Inoubli MH, Dhifi J, Alouani R, Chaqui A, Perthuisot V (2008) Apports de la gravimétrie dans la caractérisation des structures effondrées dans la région de Nebeur (Nord-Ouest de la Tunisie). Swiss J Geosci 101:17–27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00015-008-1255-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamdi-Nasr I, Inoubli MH, Ben Salem A, Tlig S, Mansouri A (2009) Gravity contributions to the understanding of salt tectonics from the Jebel Cheid area (dome zone, Northern Tunisia). Geophys Prospect 57:719–728. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2478.2009.00788.x

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hammami M (1999) Tectonique, Halocinèse et mise en place des minéralisations dans la zone des diapirs. Thèse de doctorat, Univ. Tunis II, FST

  • Hicheri M, Ramdhane B, Yahyaoui S, Gonenc T (2018) New insights from gravity data on the geodynamic evolution of Northern African Passive Margin, case study of the Tajerouine Area (Northern Tunisian Atlas). J Geol Geophys 8:1. https://doi.org/10.4172/2381-8719.1000454

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hsu SK, Sibuet JC, Shyu CT (1996) High-resolution detection of geologic boundaries from potential-field anomalies: an enhanced analytic signal technique. Geophysics 61:373–386

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Inoubli MH and Mansouri A (2006) Apport de la Gravimétrie dans la caracte´risation des Modèles de Mise en Place des Structures triasiques à Caractère Extrusif. African Geology colloquium: CAG 21, Maputo–Mozambique

  • Jacobson BO (1987) A case for upward continuation as a standard separation filter dor potential field maps. Geophysics 52(8):1138–1148

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Jallouli C, Chikhaoui M, Braham A, Turki MM, Kevin M et al (2005) Evidence for Triassic salt domes in the Tunisian Atlas from gravity and geological data. Tectonophys 396:209–225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2004.12.003

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Jallouli C, Mickus KL, Turki MM (2002) Gravity constraints on the structure of the northern margin of Tunisia: implications on the nature of the northern African Plate boundary. Geophys J Int 151:117–131. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-246X.2002.01747.x

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Keating PB (1998) Weighted Euler deconvolution of gravity data. Geophysics 63:1595–1603. https://doi.org/10.1190/1.1444456

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Masrouhi A, Bellier O, Koyi H (2014) Geometry and structural evolution of Lorbeus diapir, northwestern Tunisia: polyphase diapirism of the North African inverted passive margin. Int J Earth Sci 103:881–900. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-013-0992-3

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miller HG, Singh V (1994) Potential field tilt—a new concept for location of potential field sources. J Appl Geophys 32:213–217. https://doi.org/10.1016/0926-9851(94)90022-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ONM (2000) Campagne gravimétrique CG3: Coupures 1/50000 de Gaafour

  • Oruç B, Selim HH (2011) Interpretation of magnetic data in the Sinop area of Mid Black Sea, Turkey, using tilt derivative, Euler deconvolution, and discrete wavelet transform. J Appl Geophys 74:194–204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jappgeo.2011.05.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oruç B, Keskinsezer A (2008) Structural setting of the northeastern Biga Peninsula (Turkey) from tilt derivatives of gravity gradient tensors and magnitude of horizontal gravity components. Pure Appl Geophys 165:1913–1927. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-008-0407-8

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Perthuisot V (1977) La structure diapirique du Djebel Nasseur Allah. Notes du service Géologique de Tunisie. N◦ 43.35–43

  • Perthuisot V (1978) Dynamique et pétrogenèse des extrusions triasiques en Tunisie septentrionale– Thèse de doctorat d’état, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Paris, (Travaux du Laboratoire de Géologie. N°12, pp 312

  • Perthuisot V (1981) Diapirism in Northern Tunisia. J Struct Geol 3:231–235. https://doi.org/10.1016/0191-8141(81)90019-5

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Reid AB, Allsop JM, Granser H, Millett AJ, Somerton IW (1990) Magnetic interpretation in three dimensions using Euler deconvolution. Geophysics 55:80–91. https://doi.org/10.1190/1.1442774

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Rouvier H (1977) Géologie de l’extrême Nord tunisien, tectonique et paléogéographie superposées à l’extrême orientale la chaîne nord maghrébine, Thèse es –Sciences. Univ. Paris VI, pp 898

  • Salem A, Williams S, Fairhead JD, Smith R, Ravat DJ (2008) Interpretation of magnetic data using tilt-angle derivatives. Geophysics. https://doi.org/10.1190/1.2799992

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson DT (1982) EULDPH: a new technique for making computer-assisted depth estimates from magnetic data. Geophysics 47:31–37. https://doi.org/10.1190/1.1441278

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Tlig S, Er raoui L, Ben Aissa L, Alouani R and Tagorti MA (1991) Tectonogenèse alpine et atlasique: deux évènements distincts dans l'histoire géologique de la Tunisie. Corrélation avec les évènements clés de la méditerranée. Comptes Rendus Académie de sciences. Paris, t; 312, Série II, pp 295-301

  • Verduzco B, Fairhead JD, Green CM, Mackenzie C (2004) New ınsights into magnetic derivatives for structural mapping. Lead Edge 23:116–119. https://doi.org/10.1190/1.1651454

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vila JM, Ben Youssef M, Chikhaoui M, Ghanmi M (1996) Un grand “glacier de sel” sous-marin albien du Nord-Ouest tunisien (250 km2?): le matériel salifère triasique du « diapir » de Ben Gasseur et de l’anticlinal d’El Kef. Comptes Rendus De L’académie Des Sciences Paris 322:221–227

    Google Scholar 

  • Vila JM, Ghanmi M, Ben Youssef M, Jouirou M (2002) Les ‘glaciers de sel’ sous-marins des marges continentales passives du nord-est du Maghreb (Algérie–Tunisie) et de la Gulf Coast (USA): comparaisons, nouveau regard sur les ‘glaciers de sel’ composites illustré par celui de Fedj el Adoum (Nord-Ouest tunisien) et revue globale. Eclogae Geol Helv 95:347–380

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Editor and anonymous reviewers for their numerous constructive suggestions that improved the final version of this manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte (FSB), Université de Carthage (UC), Bizerte, Tunisie

    Imen Hamdi Nasr & Wissal Issaoui

  2. Unité de Recherche de Géophysique Appliquée aux Minerais et aux Matériaux (UR-GAMM), Tunis, Tunisie

    Imen Hamdi Nasr, Adnen Amiri, Wissal Issaoui, Oussama Abidi & Mohamed Hedi Inoubli

  3. Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis, 2092, Tunisie

    Adnen Amiri, Oussama Abidi, Mohamed Ben Chalbi & Mohamed Hedi Inoubli

  4. Entreprise Tunisienne des activités pétrolières, ETAP, Tunis, Tunisie

    Benen Sarsar Nawali

  5. Laboratoire de Cartographie, DER de Géologie, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques (FST), Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologiques de Bamako (USTTB), BP: E3206, Bamako, Mali

    Adama youssouf Kone

Authors
  1. Imen Hamdi Nasr
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Benen Sarsar Nawali
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Adnen Amiri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Wissal Issaoui
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Oussama Abidi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Adama youssouf Kone
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Mohamed Ben Chalbi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Mohamed Hedi Inoubli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Imen Hamdi Nasr.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Edited by Dr. Apostolos Sarris (GUEST EDITOR) / Prof. Gabriela Fernández Viejo (CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF).

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Hamdi Nasr, I., Nawali, B.S., Amiri, A. et al. Mapping subsurface structural lineaments using the tilt angle map from gravity gradient data and Euler deconvolution, Lakouat–Aksab region, Northwestern Tunisia. Acta Geophys. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11600-024-01323-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11600-024-01323-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation