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Advanced interpretation of gravity data for determining the structural framework: case of Fkirine and Djebibina area (transition between central Tunisian Atlas and Sahel domain, North Africa)

  • AGIC 2017
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Abstract

The transitional zone between the Atlas Province and the Sahel domain has shown several structural complexities. In order to better understand the structural framework of this zone, a gravity study has been carried out based on a qualitative and quantitative interpretation of gravity data. This study area (Fkirine and Djebibina maps) has indicated that four major tectonic directions underlay the area. We denote NE-SW, NW-SE, E-W, and N-S fault directions. The E-W and N-S strike-slip faults have played a major role in the structuration of the Sahel domain. The depth of E-W faults exceeds 5 km, which explain their deep role in the area structuration. The major thrust front of Zaghouan has been shown as a discontinuous line, due to the change of the tectonic stress field from the Upper Miocene until the Plio-Quaternary. The change of the compression regime direction from NW-SE to N-S during the Plio-Quaternary induced a transtensional movement in Fkirine and Djebibina area that created new depressive structures as Draa Ben Jouder Graben. Applying the gravity method in this area has emerged several information, which are used to better understand the architecture of the region and the impact of faults in the geodynamic evolution.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the Deanship of DNO Tunisia AS. We are very grateful to the OFFICE NATIONAL DES MINES (ONM) and ENTREPRISE TUNISIENNE D’ACTIVITES PETROLIERES (ETAP) for the scientific supports. We thank Mohamed Gharbi (Ass. Professor, CERTE) and Fares Khemiri (Senior Geologist, ETAP) for helpful discussions. The research was supported also by the GEORESSOURCES LABORATORY (LR15CERTE01), CENTRE DE RECHERCHES ET DES TECHNOLOGIES DES EAUX (CERTE, Tunisia).

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  1. Laboratoire de Géoressources (LGR), Centre de Recherches et des Technologies des Eaux (CERTE), BP 273, 8020, Soliman, Tunisia

    H. Mouakhar & H. Gabtni

  2. Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, 2092 Manar 2, Tunis, Tunisia

    H. Mouakhar

  3. DNO, Tunis, Tunisia

    A. Bel Kahla

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Mouakhar, H., Gabtni, H. & Bel Kahla, A. Advanced interpretation of gravity data for determining the structural framework: case of Fkirine and Djebibina area (transition between central Tunisian Atlas and Sahel domain, North Africa). Arab J Geosci 12, 120 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-019-4245-z

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