Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Stratigraphy and structural style of Souk Ahras foreland fold-thrust belt in northeastern Algeria

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In northeastern Algeria, the Souk Ahras foreland basin is a part of the Maghrebides fold-thrust belt and comprises Sellaoua and Medjerda High units in the footwall of Tellian thrust sheets. Detailed geological mapping supported by micro-paleontological, petrographic, and structural data allows us to reappraise its stratigraphy and its structural style and to characterize the relationship between the different structural units (Numidian, Tellian, Sellaoua, and Medjerda High units). Data were collected for a biostratigraphy and field observations along to six (06) sections spread over the Ouled Driss, Dj. Boubakhouch, Dj. Boukebch – Dekma, and the Medjerda High. The Souk Ahras foreland basin substrate is made up by Jurassic and early Cretaceous series and constituted an outer shelf pre-foreland passive margin where salt tectonics occurred. From upper Cretaceous to Miocene, flexural subsidence and thrust wedge propagation took place as the result of the northward drift of Africa plate. The Souk Ahras foreland is finally deformed by thrust-related folds, which affected a pre shortening tectonic pile involving remnant of salt tectonics influenced margin during at least Cretaceous times.

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
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

Not applicable.

References

  • Aubert J, Berggren WA (1976) Paleocene benthic foraminiferal biostratigraphy and paleoecology of Tunisia. In: Bulletin du Centre de Recherche de Pau-SNPA, pp 379–469

    Google Scholar 

  • Bellion Y, Donze P, Guiraud R (1973) Répartition stratigraphique des principaux Ostracodes (Cytheracea) dans le Crétacé supérieur du Sud-Ouest Constantinois (Confins Hodna-Aures, Algérie du Nord). In: Bulletin Service de la carte géologique de l’Algérie N.S, pp 7–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Benaouali-Mebarek N, Frizon de Lamotte D, Roca E, Bracene R, Faure JL, Sassi W, Roure F (2006) Post-Cretaceous kinematics of the Atlas and Tell systems in central Algeria: early foreland folding and subduction-related deformation. Compt Rendus Geosci 338:115–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crte.2005.11.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouillin JP (1986) Le basin maghrébin: une ancienne limite entre l’Europe et l’Afrique à l’ouest des alpes. Bull Soc Géol France 8(2):547–558

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bracène R, Frizon de Lamotte (2002) The origin of intraplate deformation in the Atlas system of western and central Algeria: from Jurassic rifting to Cenozoic-Quaternary inversion. Tectonophysics 1–4:207–226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caron M (1985) Cretaceous plankticforaminifera. In: Bolli HM, Saunder JB, Perch-Nielsen K (eds) Plankton Stratigraphy: Planktic foraminifera, calcareous nannofossils and calpionellids. Cambridge Earth Sciene Series press, Cambridge, pp 17–86

    Google Scholar 

  • Chabbi A (2017) Les nappes telliennes de la région nord de Souk Ahras (Nord-Est algerien): étude géologique et structurale. Thèse de doctorat en science, Badji Mokhtar Annaba, Algerie

  • Chabbi A, Chouabbi A, Chermiti A et al (2016) La mise en évidence d’une nappe de charriage en structure imbriquée: cas de la nappe tellienne d’Ouled Driss, Souk-Ahras, Algérie. Courrier Savoir 21:149–156

    Google Scholar 

  • Chabbi A, Chermiti A, Chouabbi A, Benyoussef M (2019) The external domain of Maghrebides belt on the North–East of Algeria, Souk Ahras segment: definition of structural units, block structure and timing of thrusts setting. In: Rossetti F, Blanc AC, Riguzzi F et al (eds) The Structural Geology Contribution to the Africa-Eurasia Geology: Basement and Reservoir Structure, Ore Mineralisation and Tectonic Modelling. Springer International Publishing, Cham, pp 237–241

    Google Scholar 

  • Chermiti A, Moumni Y, Khiari N, Ben Youssef M (2018) Facies analysis, sequence stratigraphy and paleoenvironment reconstruction of the Paleogene deposits in central Tunisia (Faidh section). J Afr Earth Sci 144:183–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2018.04.013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chouabbi A (1987) Etude géologique de la région de hammam N’Bails SE de Guelma, Constantinois, Algérie. PHD Theisis, University Paul Sabatier de Toulouse, Toulouse

    Google Scholar 

  • David L (1956) Etude géologique de la haute Medjerda. In: Bulletin Service de la carte géologique de l’Algérie

    Google Scholar 

  • Djelit H (1987) Evolution tectono—métamorphique du socle Kabyle et polarité de mise en place des nappes de flysch en petite Kabylie occidentale (Algérie). Doctorat en science, Paris sud

    Google Scholar 

  • Durand-Delga M (1969) Mise au point sur la structure de l’Algérie septentrionale. Bull Serv Carte Géol l’Algér 39:89–131

    Google Scholar 

  • Durand-Delga M (1980) La Méditerranée occidentale: étapes de sa genèse et problèmes structuraux liés à celle-ci. Mémoir Serv Géol France 10:203–224

    Google Scholar 

  • Faid N (1999) Ostracodes de l’Eocène inférieur-moyen de l’Atlas Saharien (Algérie): interprétation environnementale et paléogéographique. Géobios 3:459–481

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frizon de Lamotte D, Saint Bezar B, Bracène R (2000) The two main steps of the Altas bulding and geodynamics of the western Mediterranean. Tectonics 19:740–761

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frizon de Lamotte D, Leturmy P, Missenard Y, Khomsi S (2009) Mesozoic and Cenozoic vertical mouvements in the Atlas system (Algeria, Morocco, Tunizia): an overview. Tectonics 445:9–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2008.10.024

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herkat M, Guiraud R (2006) The relationships between tectonics and sedimentation in the Late Cretaceous series of the eastern Atlasic Domain (Algeria). Afr Earth Sci 46:346–370

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khomsi S, Soussi M, Mahersi C, Bédir M, Jemia HFB, Riahi S, Khalfa KB (2009) New insights on the structural style of the subsurface of the Tell units in north-western Tunisia issued from seismic imaging: geodynamic implications. Compt Rendus Geosci 341:347–356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crte.2009.01.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khomsi S, de Lamotte DF, Bédir M, Echihi O (2016) The Late Eocene and Late Miocene fronts of the Atlas Belt in eastern Maghreb: integration in the geodynamic evolution of the Mediterranean Domain. Arab J Geosci 9(15):650. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-016-2609-1

  • Kriviakine B, Kovalenko E, Vnouchkov V (1989a) Carte géologique d’Oued Mougras

    Google Scholar 

  • Kriviakine B, Kovalenko E, Vnouchkov V (1989b) Carte géologique de Souk Ahras

    Google Scholar 

  • Kriviakine B, Kovalenko E, Vnouchkov V (1989c) Carte géologique de Taoura

    Google Scholar 

  • Lahondère JC (1987) Les séries ultra-telliennes d’Algérie Nord oriental et les formations environnantes dans leur cadre structural. Thèse de doctorat en science, Pole Sabatier Toulouse, Toulouse

    Google Scholar 

  • Lahondère JC, Feinberg H, Haq BU (1979) Datation des grès numidien d’Algérie orientale: conséquences structurales. C R Acad Sci 289:383–386

    Google Scholar 

  • Leikine M (1971) Etude géologique des Babors occidentaux (Algérie). Thèse de doctorat en science, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Leprêtre R, Frizon de Lamotte D, Combier V, Gimeno-Vives O, Mohn G, Eschard R (2018) The Tell-Rif orogenic system (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia) and the structural heritage of the southern Tethys margin. BSGF - Earth Sci Bull 189:10. https://doi.org/10.1051/bsgf/2018009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marmi R, Guiraud R (2006) End Cretaceous to recent polyphased compressive tectonics along the ‘“Moˆ le Constantinois”’ and foreland (NE Algeria). Afr Earth Sci 45:123–136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2006.01.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Obert D (1981) Etude géologique des Babors orientaux (Domaine tellien .Algérie). Thèse de doctorat en science, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Perthuisot V (1978) Dynamique et pe´trogene`se des extrusions triasiques de Tunisie septentrionale. PHD Theisis, École Normale Supérieure, Lyon

    Google Scholar 

  • Peybernès B, Chouabbi A, Vila JM (2002) Reconstitution du substratum jurassique-crétacé basal du domaine des Sellaoua (marge sud-téthysienne, Algérie nord-orientale) à partir des galets du bassin mio-pliocène d’Hamman N’Baïls. C R Paleovol 1:681–688

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poblet J, Lisle RJ (2011) Kinematic evolution and structural styles of fold-and-thrust belts. Geol Soc Lond, Spec Publ 349:1–24. https://doi.org/10.1144/SP349.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raoult JF (1976) Géologie du centre de la chaîne numidienne (Nord du Constantinois, Algérie). Thèse de doctorat en science, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Riahi S, Soussi M, Boukhalfa K et al (2010) Stratigraphy, sedimentology and structure of the Numidian Flysch thrust belt in northern Tunisia. J Afr Earth Sci 57:109–126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2009.07.016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roure F, Casero P, Addoum B (2012) Alpine inversion of the North African margin and delamination of its continental lithosphere: INVERSION OF THE NORTH AFRICAN MARGIN. Tectonics 31:n/a. https://doi.org/10.1029/2011TC002989

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rouvier H (1977) Géologie de l’extrême Nord tunisien: tectoniques et paléogéographies superposées à l’extrémité orientale de la chaîne nord-maghrébine. These, Piere et Marie Curie

    Google Scholar 

  • Salaj (1980) Microbiostratigraphie du Crétacé et du Paléogène de la Tunisie septentrionale et orientale (Hypostratotypes Tunisiens). Institut Géologique de Dionyz Stur, Bratislava

    Google Scholar 

  • Toumarkine M, Luterbacher H (1985) Paleocene and Eocene planktic foraminifera. In: Bolli HM, Saunders JB, Perch-Nielsen K (eds) Plankton Stratigraphy: Planktic foraminifera, calcareous nannofossils and calpionellids. Cambridge Earth Sciene Series press, Cambridge, pp 87–154

    Google Scholar 

  • Vergés J, Moragas M, Martín-Martín JD et al (2017) Salt Tectonics in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. In: Permo-Triassic Salt Provinces of Europe, North Africa and the Atlantic Margins. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 563–579

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Vila JM (1980) La chaîne alpine d’Algérie nord oriental et des confins Algéro-tunisiens. Thèse de doctorat és sciences naturelles. Université Pierre et Marie Curie Paris VI

  • Vila JM (1995) Première étude de surface d’un grand ‘glacier de sel’ sous-marin: l’est de la structure Ouenza- Ladjbel-Meridef (confins algéro-tunisiens). Proposition d’un scenario de mise en place et comparaisons. Bull Soc Géol France 166:149–167

    Google Scholar 

  • Vila JM, Feinberg H, Lahondère JC et al (1995) The sandy uppermost Oligocene channel and the Miocene of Sidi-Affif area in their East Algerian structural setting—the Saharan Origin of the Numidian and thecalendar of the Miocene overthrusts. Comptes Rendus l’Acad Sci 10:1001–1009

    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 l’Acad Sci Paris 322:221–227

    Google Scholar 

  • Voûte (1967) Essai de synthèse de l’histoire géologique des environ d’Ain Fakroune, Ain Babouche et des régions limitrophes. Pubi. Serv. Carte Géol. Algérie. N.S. Bulletin 36, 3 vol. Alger

  • Wildi W (1983) La chaîne tello-rifaine (Algérie, Maroc, Tunisie): structure stratigraphique et évolution du Trias au Miocène. Rev Géol Dynam Géograph Phys 24:201–297

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We would first like to thank Pr. Mohamed Ben Youssef for his constant and unavailable help and support in carrying out this work. We also thank all those who participated in the production of this paper. S. Brusset thanks PETEX for providing MOVE to the université Paul Sabatier. François Roure and two anonymous reviewers are warmly acknowledged for providing corrections that strongly bettered the original manuscript.

Code availability

Not applicable.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mohamed Cherif Messaadia University, Souk Ahras, Algeria

    Abdallah Chabbi

  2. Geodynamics and natural resources laboratory, Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba, Algeria

    Abdallah Chabbi

  3. Georesources Laboratory, Water Research and Technology Center, Technopole Borj Cedria, Tunisia

    Asma Chermiti

  4. Geosciences Environment Toulouse (GET), Paul Sabatier University Toulouse III, Toulouse, France

    Stéphane Brusset

Authors
  1. Abdallah Chabbi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Asma Chermiti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Stéphane Brusset
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Abdallah Chabbi.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: François Roure

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Chabbi, A., Chermiti, A. & Brusset, S. Stratigraphy and structural style of Souk Ahras foreland fold-thrust belt in northeastern Algeria. Arab J Geosci 14, 1789 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-08170-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-08170-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation