Insights on the late Cretaceous-Eocene event in the Tunisian eastern foreland using subsurface data. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ben Abid, Oussama; Ouali, Jamel Abdennaceur; Mahroug, Ali; Nouali, Benen Sarsar; Ahmadi, Riadh
• Is Part Of: Journal of African earth sciences. Volume 196(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: Senonian extension -- Halokinetic activity -- Late cretaceous-eocene event -- Diachronism -- Eastern Tunisian foreland -- Cretaceous-tertiary; Earth sciences -- Africa -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Middle East -- Periodicals; Geology -- Africa -- Periodicals; Geology -- Middle East -- Periodicals; Sciences de la terre -- Afrique -- Périodiques; Sciences de la terre -- Moyen-Orient -- Périodiques; Géologie -- Afrique -- Périodiques; Géologie -- Moyen-Orient -- Périodiques; Earth sciences; Geology; Africa; Middle East; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 556.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2022.104664
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1464-343X

Abstract

Abstract: Tunisia is characterized by a specific structural location in the northern African margin, related to the geodynamic evolution of the Mediterranean basin. In fact, the Tunisian geological history strongly depends on the relative kinematics of the African-Eurasiatic plates, response to the successive opening of the Tethys and the Mesogea oceans which occurred, respectively, during the late Triassic-Jurassic and the Cretaceous periods. These extensional phases were followed, in the late Cretaceous by a compressive event subject to many controversies among many authors. In order to elucidate this event, a study based on both analysis and interpretation of seismic profiles was achieved in the eastern Tunisian foreland (Sahel and pelagian blocks). It indicates that the late Cretaceous-Eocene compressive event is characterized by NNE-SSW shortening axis and seems to be diachronous. This diachronism results from the resumption of local halokinetic structures throughout the late Cretaceous-Paleogene. The latter were active since the Jurassic-lower Cretaceous then reactivated later through the Senonian extension. Highlights: Exploration of Eocene contractional phase. Use of subsurface seismic data in the eastern Tunisian foreland. Senonian extension reactivates halokinetic structures. Late Cretaceous-Eocene compressive event is characterized by NNE-SSW shortening axis. Late Cretaceous-Eocene event is diachronous.