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GIS-based analysis of the Stream Length-Gradient Index for evaluating effects of active tectonics: a case study of Enfidha (North-East of Tunisia)

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Abstract

Our study aims at calculating morphometric indices through the recourse to the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and its attributes (hydrographic networks, watersheds, and reliefs). This quantitative measurement is used for the morphotectonical analysis of the Enfidha area (North-East of Tunisia) in the GIS environment and statistical platform. The Enfidha area is selected to analyze and identify neotectonic morphostructures on basis of the morphological evolution of the landscape. The coastal Enfidha plain is part of the Tunisian Sahel that is marked by its instability and frequent earthquakes that prove the presence of the recent deformation and active subsurface faults. This morphometric modeling in the geological investigation area reflects the morphotectonic spatial evolution in the Quaternary basins areas. Stream length (SL) proposed by Hack (1973) and denominated by Etchebehere et al. (2004) Revista do Instituto de Geociências USP, Série Científica, São Paulo 4(2):43–56 as the RDE index (Relation Declivity Extension) was used for application in the studies of neotectonic approach. RDE index is one of the morphotectonical indices that designates the tectonics anomalies in rivers. The variability in (RDE) values can indicate both a lithology resistance towards erosion and major active subsurface faults or low slope. Our geostatistical method is required to obtain RDE index maps based on lithological filtrations and value interpolations which are calculated in a drainage line network. This method calculates, measures, and validates spatial distribution of hack RDE index through a high statistical accuracy in a quantitative anomalies study. The RDE anomaly maps of the study area mirror the concurrence between anomaly zones, major active subsurface E-W faults, and local geological discontinuities related to neotectonical activities that affect the hydrographic network. This study proves that the RDE index can be especially used to detect the influence of active large-scale faults on the landscape evolution.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful and appreciate the collaboration with the Professor Mohamed Moncef Turki for all application comments and discussion for geological interpretations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, Laboratoire Ressources Minérales et Environnement, UTM, El Manar 2, Tunis, Tunisia

    Abdelkader Moussi & Abdeljaouad Saâdi

  2. École Nationale d’Ingénieur de Tunis, Département de Génie Civil, UTM, B.P.37, le Belvédère, Tunis, Tunisia

    Noamen Rebaï

  3. National School of Engineers of Sfax, University of Sfax, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia

    Ali Chaieb

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  1. Abdelkader Moussi
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Moussi, A., Rebaï, N., Chaieb, A. et al. GIS-based analysis of the Stream Length-Gradient Index for evaluating effects of active tectonics: a case study of Enfidha (North-East of Tunisia). Arab J Geosci 11, 123 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-018-3466-x

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