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A detailed mapping of the lateral and the vertical extension of the Upper Cretaceous units which contains aquifer bearing lithologies and may be part of the Complexe Terminal aquifer in the Jeffara basin of southeastern Tunisia using land and satellite Bouguer gravity anomaly data, eight seismic reflection profiles and two deep wells was performed. Borehole data indicated that the Upper Cretaceous unit is thickest within the Jeffara basin and thins considerably in the Dahar High. Bouguer gravity data in general confirms this result but lacks the resolution to accurately determine the thickness of the Upper Cretaceous units. Eight seismic reflection profiles constrained by borehole data indicated that the Upper Cretaceous aquifer may be present at depths greater than 500 m and is up to 400 m thick. The seismic reflection analysis showed that the Upper Cretaceous units contain two distinct zones. Within the northeastern portions of the Jeffara basin, the Upper Cretaceous units are influenced by horsts, grabens and tilted blocks where the Upper Cretaceous units are deeper and thicker units occur within the grabens. A second zone exits toward the basin’s southwestern section where the Upper Cretaceous units are shallower and gradually thin against the Dahar High. Structural contour maps of the top and the base of the Upper Cretaceous aquifer constructed from the seismic reflection profiles reveal the presence of fractured depressions in the northeastern part of the Jeffara basin that are favourable to the hydrogeological exploitation.

Gravity data were analysed in the Ghadames Basin and surrounding regions in southern Tunisia in order to determine the basement structure of the region and its relationship to petroleum exploration in relatively unexplored basins. The analysis included the construction of regional Bouguer gravity anomaly and horizontal gravity gradient maps. These maps indicate that the Ghadames Basin is not a simple sag basin but consists of a series of sub-basins and uplifts. The northern boundary of the basin which we call the Telemzan–Ghadames transition zone is marked by a NE-trending high amplitude gravity gradient anomaly which decreases in amplitude toward the east and breaks into a series of north–south- and east–west-trending anomalies implying a more structurally complex region. When the known petroleum fields are overlain on to the gravity gradient anomaly maps, the fields mostly occur along or next to linear alignments of horizontal gravity gradient maxima. We interpret the correlation of the petroleum fields and horizontal gravity gradient maxima to indicate that the basement was involved in forming the petroleum traps. This study illustrates that a regional gravity analysis can be useful in determining where additional exploration can be applied in relatively unexplored basins.

Hmaima–El Gara area is located in Central–Western Tunisia and is known as an important geothermal province. In this study, we attempt to delineate the subsurface structures of the area using integrated interpretation of gravity, electrical and magnetotelluric data. The Hmaima thermal aquifer, associated with fractured Aptian reefal limestones, is characterized by high gravity and high resistivity. Horizontal gradient and Euler deconvolution method has been applied to the gravity data and provided fast information about both the depth and trends of the shallower subsurface structures in the area. As several of the mapped lineaments correlate with published geological fault trends, the other lineaments may be indicators of new insights for hydrothermal exploitation in the Hmaima–El Gara area (economical potential favorite zones).

The purpose of this investigation was to identify subsurface lineaments in Gafsa trough (onshore central Tunisia) after gravity data analysis. The Bouguer and residual gravity maps show a gravity values decrease from west to east associated with subsidence variation and confirmed by a regional seismic reflection profile. The deep structural map of the study area is elaborated after the application of two methods: (1) the automatic lineament tracing after horizontal gravity gradient and (2) 3D Euler method. The dominant trends show approximately NW–SE, E–W, and NE–SW directions. Some of these trends are well correlated with the major faults systems. We can qualify the deep structuration model as a mosaic of quadratic blocks bounded by significant deep flower fault corridors. The elaborated structural map of the study area constitutes also a useful document for rationalizing the future petroleum exploration in the Gafsa trough.

The geodynamic evolution of the Southern Tethyan Margin of Tunisia is investigated using geophysical studies. Analysis of gravity and seismic reflection data in the Maghrebian domain and Southern Tunisia reveals the geodynamic role played by the North Saharan Flexure (NSF) in the evolution of the Southern Tethyan Margin. The Saharan Atlas Mountains (Atlasic Basin) and the African Craton (Telemzan High) are separated by the NSF which is a regional-scale feature that may represent a significant basement discontinuity that has controlled the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic evolution of the Tunisian and Maghrebian Tethyan Basin.

In the Jemmel–Zeramdine region, the combined analysis of petroleum well data, seismic reflection profiles, and gravity data show the presence of the Zeramdine fault corridor, which was activated in the Neogene period. Both tectonic activity and fluvio-deltaic sedimentation are the origin of the lithologic and hydrodynamic heterogeneities. Thus, the Zeramdine fault corridor constitutes a limit between two hydraulic systems formed by Miocene sandy reservoir layers. These reservoirs have not been exploited yet and could be new water resources which can extremely benefit the region; only the upper one is exploited in the Jemmel–Bembla and Zeramdine–Beni Hassen deep aquifers. The wire line logging, seismic reflection, and gravity interpretations show the distribution of the Miocene layers which formed the Sahel Miocene deep aquifers. The Zeramdine fault corridor leads to a spatial variability in number, distribution, depths, and thicknesses of these reservoir layers. In the northern part of the Zeramdine fault corridor, seven layers were highlighted; their thicknesses range between 15 and 105 m. However, in the southern part, only four strata were deposited: their thicknesses vary between 45 and 53 m. The total porosity of the studied aquifers is about 30%.

The gravity method may be used in the exploration of deep sedimentary basins. It allows the structuring and the lateral and vertical extent of sedimentary fill to be determined. This study has concerned a qualitative and quantitative gravity analysis of Sidi Bouzid Basin in Central Tunisia. Bouguer anomaly analysis and Gravity data filtering allows us to emphasize the structures affecting the basin. The Automatic Lineament Tracing method helps to quantify the different gravity responses of faults located in the shallow and deep sedimentary sections and in the basement. The elaborated structural map of the study area constitutes a useful document for rationalizing the future groundwater exploration in the arid area of central Tunisia since it shows faults dipping and deep hydrogeologic sub-basin delineation.

A gravity and seismic analysis was conducted over and around Jebel Es Souda-Hmaeima, located on the eastern border of the Tunisian Mountains between the Atlasic block to the west and the Pelagian Block to the east, as part of a study to investigate the subsurface structures. These data, together with outcrop geology, well data, and measurements of physical properties of rock samples, were integrated with a new interpretation of the tectonic model of Jebel Es Souda-Hmaeima anticline. This structure represents a backfolded anticline associated with a steep east-vergent thrust above a blind thrust fault along the base of Triassic formations. The proposed model emphasizes the role of transpressional deformation along deep-seated basement faults and has implications for petroleum generation, migration, and entrapment in central Tunisia.

An analysis of Bouguer gravity anomaly data and geothermal gradient data obtained from bottom hole and drill stem tests temperature is used to determine the crustal structure of the Sahel Basin in eastern Tunisia and its role in the maturation and location of the large number of oil and gas fields in the region. The regional Bouguer gravity anomaly field is dominated by gradual increase in values from the northwest to southeast and is may be caused by crustal thinning as revealed by regional seismic studies. In addition, higher geothermal gradients in the same region as the Bouguer gravity anomaly maximum add an additional constraint for the existence of crustal thinning in the region. A detailed analysis of the Bouguer gravity anomaly data was performed by both upward continuation and horizontal gradients. These two techniques were combined to show that the study area consists of two structural regions: (1) the North–South Axis (NOSA)–Zeramedine region which is characterized by northwest-dipping, northeast-striking faults, thicker crust (30–31 km) and low geothermal gradients, and (2) the Mahres–Kerkennah region which is characterized by vertical, northwest-striking faults, thinner crust (28–29 km) and higher geothermal gradients. The correlation of a variety of features includes mapped and geophysically defined faults, volcanic rocks, a thinned crust and high geothermal gradients within the same location as known oil and gas fields indicate that the faults are a major factor in the location of these petroleum accumulations.

The Jeffara basin of southern Tunisia contains a thick sequence of mainly Triassic and Permian sediments that is characterized by a gravity maximum. To explain the positive gravity signature over the Jeffara sedimentary basin and to obtain a more quantitative representation of the subsurface structure, a regional 2.5D gravity model constrained by seismic reflection and borehole data was constructed along a NE–SW trending profile. The depth to the crust/mantle implies that the Jeffara basin is associated with crustal thinning. The gravity model also implies that subsidence is controlled by a basement stepped down by relatively low-displacement faulting. This sedimentary subsidence, as described by a listric-faulting model, is probably caused by a thinned crust.

A comprehensive study, integrating gravity, magnetic and seismic reflection data, has been used to resolve the complex Triassic salt body geometry and evolution in central Tunisia. Regional seismic lines across the study area show a detachment level in the Upper Triassic evaporites, associated with chaotic seismic facies below the Souinia, Majoura, and Mezzouna structures. The Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous seismic horizons display pinching-outs and onlapping around these structures. A stack-velocity section confirms the existence of a high-velocity body beneath the Souinia Mountain. Regional gravity and magnetic profiles in this area were elaborated from ETAP (the Tunisian Firm of Petroleum Activities) measure stations. These profiles were plotted following the same layout from the west (Souinia) to the east (Mezzouna), across the Majoura and Kharrouba mountains. They highlight associated gravity and magnetic negative anomalies. These gravity and magnetic data coupled to the reflection seismic data demonstrate that, in the Souinia, Majoura, and El Hafey zones, the Triassic salt reaches a salt pillow and a salt-dome stage, without piercing the cover. These stages are expressed by moderately low gravity anomalies. On the other hand, in the Mezzouna area (part of the North–South Axis), the Triassic salt had pierced its cover during the Upper Cretaceous and the Tertiary, reaching a more advanced stage as a salt diapir and salt wall. These stages express important low gravity and magnetic anomalies. These results confirm the model of Tanfous et al. (2005) of halokinetic movements by fault intrusions inducing, from the west to the east, structures at different stages of salt pillow, salt dome, and salt diapir.

The integration of 1:50 000 geological mapping, 2D seismic reflection profiles, and detailed new gravity data shows that northeastern Tunisia is affected by important strike-slip faults directed N120 and making shear corridors. At the both sides of these accidents, sedimentary series are affected by east–west to NW–SE and north–south to NE–SW faults, and NNE–SSW to NE–SW folds. N120 strike-slip faults initiated probably during the Late Cretaceous, and they have been activated during four distensive and compressive phases: Late Cretaceous, Late Eocene, Late Miocene, and Plio-Early Quaternary.

Resume Faisant suite, vers l'est, a l'important trait orographique de direction nord–sud connu sous l'appellation d'axe nord–sud, le Sahel de Tunisie est caracterise par une certaine monotonie topographique et structurale. Cette etude vient poser quelques problematiques concernant la structure profonde de cette region. Elle essaie, en plus, de cerner le contexte crustal et gravimetrique de la partie nord du Sahel de Tunisie. Un ensemble d'anomalies gravimetriques, de formes et de directions variables, montre une complexite structurale certaine de la region d'etude (par exemple le nœud sismotectonique de Monastir). La structure profonde d'une zone particuliere d'amincissement crustal de direction est–ouest (region de Kairouan–Sousse–Monastir), prenant une forme en « doigt de gant » et confirmee par les donnees gravimetriques, est parfaitement imagee par la technique du signal analytique haute resolution d'ordre 2, calee par la distribution des foyers sismiques durant le XX e siecle. Cette technique met en evidence l'interference d'importantes discontinuites tectoniques sismiquement actives, ou s'arrangent plusieurs structures plicatives en « fleurs positives » enfouies : c'est le couloir tectonique est–ouest de Kairouan–Sousse–Monastir (CKSM). Pour citer cet article : H. Gabtni, C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).

Gravity data, integrated with seismic refraction/reflection data, well data and geological investigations, were used to determine the location of the paleogeographic boundary between the Precambrian Saharan domain and the younger Tunisian Atlas domain. This boundary (North Saharan Flexure or NSF) has not been as clearly defined as it has been to the west in Algeria and Morocco. The gravity data analysis, which included the construction of complete Bouguer and residual gravity anomaly maps, revealed that the Atlasic domain is characterized by relative negative gravity anomalies and numerous linear gravity trends implying a thick and deformed sediment cover. The Saharan domain is characterized by relatively positive gravity anomalies with few gravity trends implying a thin and relatively undeformed sediment cover. An edge-enhancement analysis of the residual gravity anomalies revealed that the NSF is characterized by a series of discontinuous east- and northwest-trending linear anomalies south of 34°N that are not related to the well-known faults within the Gafsa and Accident de Medenine regions. Based on the continuity of the amplitudes of seismic reflection data and the trends of the residual gravity anomalies, the NSF is not an abrupt discontinuity but a series of step faults dipping toward the Atlasic domain. To obtain a more quantitative representation of the southern edge of Tunisian Atlas, a regional gravity model constrained by two wells and seismic reflection/refraction data was constructed along a north-south trending profile which confirms the presence of thicker sediments north of the NSF. Our analysis shows that the NSF has controlled the depositional environment of the sedimentary rocks within the region since at least Triassic time and has acted as a barrier to Atlasic deformation south of the NSF. The NSF is considered an important tectonic feature that has controlled the paleogeographic evolution of the southern margin of the Tethys Ocean, and it continues to be active today based on seismicity hazard studies.

B02 DEEP STRUCTURE OF THE CHOTT JERID TROUGH (SOUTHERN TUNISIA) 1 H. GABTNI 1 2 C. JALLOULI 1 K.L. MICKUS 3 H. ZOUARI 2 and M.M. TURKI 1 1 Departement de Geologie Faculte des Sciences de Tunis University Tunis El Manar 2092 Manar II Tunisia 2 Laboratoire de Georessources Institut National de Recherche Scientifique et Technique Borj-Cedria B.P. 95 2050 Hammam-Lif Tunisia 3 Department of Geosciences Southwest Missouri State University Springfield MO 65804 KEY WORDS: North Africa - Southern Tunisia - Chott Jerid Trough - Deep structure SUMMARY: The surface monotony and ambiguous structure of the Chott Jerid (low topographic

The Neogene stratigraphic series is characterized by predominant clayey facies alternated by other sand layers. The outcrop and subsurface studies show varied and complex styles of deformations and lead to relate the structures to paleoseismic events. The seismicity of eastern onshore and offshore Tunisian margin follows the master fault corridors oriented globally N–S, E–W, and NW–SE that correspond to the bordering faults of grabens and syncline corridors and associated faulted drag fold structures oriented NE–SW. Epicenters of magnitudes between 3 and 5 are located along these border fault corridors. The Neogene strata record brittle structures, including numerous and deep faults and fractures with straight and high-angle dipping planes. The structuring of NE–SW en echelon folds and synclines inside and outside NW–SE and E–W right lateral and N–S and NE–SW left lateral tectonic corridors indicates the strike-slip type of bordering faults and their seismogenic nature. Wrench fault movements that induce mud and salt diapirs, mud volcanoes, and intrusive ascensions are related to seismic shocks. Seismic waves caused by activity along one, or most likely, several tectonic structures would have propagated throughout the Quaternary cover producing seismites. The similarity of deposits, structuring, and seismites between the Tunis-Bizerte to the North and Hammamet-Mahdia to the South accredits the hypothesis that the seismic episodes might have affected sedimentation patterns along the Sahalian large geographic area. The paleoseismic events in northeastern Tunisia might be related to tectonic fault reactivations through time. This hypothesis is consistent with the geomorphologic context of the study area, characterized by several morphostructural lineaments with strong control on the sediment distribution, as well as uplifted and subsiding terrains. The estimated magnitude of the seismic events and the great regional tectonically affected areas demonstrate that the northeastern Tunisia experienced stress through the last geological episodes of its evolution. This Neogene kinematic reconstruction highlights the neotectonic system inducing the actual seismicity on this margin. Therefore, there is a straight relationship between deepseated faults and seismicity.