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Structural evolution of the Kef and Sers grabens (Tunisian Atlas) during the Late Mesozoic–Quaternary episode: Role of inherited faults and new constraint on the collapsing mode

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Abstract

Through a multidisciplinary approach based on geological mapping, field observations, paleostress analysis and some seismic data, this paper is aimed to better constrain the Upper Cretaceous–Quaternary structural evolution of the NW–SE trending el Kef and Sers grabens (north-central Tunisia), and to explain the coexistence of extensional and compressional structures in this region. We suggest that grabens are mechanically linked by the Boulifa E–W trending dextral shear zone. Results reveal a major NE–SW extensional phase during the Upper Cretaceous–Paleocene time, as proved by NW–SE and E–W trending synsedimentary normal faults. The examination of the geological cross-section along the salt structures (e.g., Jebel Debadib) enables us to notice that several zones of the el Kef area have been marked by bald areas. These highs have been formed after Triassic vertical movement and they were responsible for the absence of some series of the Upper Cretaceous and Paleocene. On the other hand, results document a NW–SE trending compressional phase, during early Eocene, that affected the study area. Extension with main NE–SW direction took place during the early-middle Miocene, giving raise the el Kef and Sers grabens opening. However, from late Miocene until Quaternary, the study area was affected by two major contractional events with NW–SE to NNW–SSE directed shortening. The first one gave rise to the reactivation of the pre-existing normal faults and NE–SW trending folds and thrust structures. The compression event still remains active during the Quaternary (post-Villafranchian). During both Neogene shortening events, the paleostress analysis reveals a NE–SW trending extension in regional compressional phase. We interpret this extensional tectonic event as a local effect due to the perturbation of the principal stress axis, guided by the continental collision between the African and Eurasian plates.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the ETAP (Tunisian National Oil Company) for delivering subsurface data. Editor and reviewers are acknowledged for their insightful comments and corrections. The corresponding author would like to dedicate this paper to the memory of his deceased supervisor Prof Chihi Lassaâd.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, 7021, Jarzouna-Bizerte, Tunisia

    Mahmoudi Noureddine, Abidi Oussama & Naoufel Ghannem

  2. Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences of Gafsa, University of Gafsa, 2100, Zarroug-Gafsa, Tunisia

    Azizi Ramzi

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  1. Mahmoudi Noureddine
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Contributions

N Mahmloudi and R Azizi conceived the idea and were in charge of overall direction and planning of this work. N Mahmoudi performed field and seismic data for this study. R Azizi contributed to the geological mapping of this paper. O Abidi contributed to the interpretation and discussion of the subsurface data. N Ghannem helped in the processing and interpretation of the main structures of this study and contributed to the discussion of the final paper. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Mahmoudi Noureddine.

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Noureddine, M., Ramzi, A., Oussama, A. et al. Structural evolution of the Kef and Sers grabens (Tunisian Atlas) during the Late Mesozoic–Quaternary episode: Role of inherited faults and new constraint on the collapsing mode. J Earth Syst Sci 131, 233 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-022-01974-2

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