Journal of African Earth Sciences 56 (2010) 139–149

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Journal of African Earth Sciences

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The evolution of pre-existing structures during the tectonic inversion process

of the Atlas chain of Tunisia
Ferid Dhahri a,*, Noureddine Boukadi b
a
Faculté des Sciences de Gafsa, Département des Sciences de la terre, 2112 Gafsa, Tunisia
b
Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, Département de Géologie, Campus Universitaire, 2092 Manar II, Tunisia

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Previous studies on the plate movement between Africa and Eurasia have pointed out the evidence of
Received 12 March 2009 successive phases of transtension and transpression. The transtensional regime was active between
Received in revised form 24 June 2009 Jurassic and Cretaceous times. It led to extensional structures which were reactivated during the Ceno-
Accepted 5 July 2009
zoic transpressional regime as consequence of the Africa–Europe convergence. In this paper, we used
Available online 16 July 2009
satellite images and field observations from Central Tunisia to demonstrate the role of the previous
extension tectonics in the structural evolution of the Atlassic chain for the tectonic inversion process.
Keywords:
In the study area, the geometry of structures and fault kinematics is used to document transition from
Tunisia
Transtension
transtension to transpression. The tectono-sedimentary record reflects the mechanical influence of reac-
Transpression tivation of previous tectonics in the structural evolution of the study area and points out the significant
Inversion tectonics role of the tectonic inheritance in the development of the Atlassic chain of Tunisia.
Ó 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction
The Africa–Eurasia plate movements have been detailed by
Dercourt et al. (1986), Philip et al. (1986), Soyer and Tricart
(1987), Ben Ayed (1986), Dewey et al. (1986), Martinez et al.
(1991), Boukadi (1994), Piqué et al. (1998) and Abbes (2004). These
authors described the episodes of divergence, convergence and
lateral displacement between both plates. The major movements
resulted in the development of major structural entities (Betics,
Pyrenees, Apennines, Dinaric and Maghrebian chains) in the Teth-
yan domain. Numerous studies (Robertson and Grasso, 1995;
Stampfli and Borel, 2002; Laville et al., 2004; Abrajevitch et al.,
2005) have argued that the tectonic history of this domain exem-
plifies the process of ocean basin closure and plate convergence
leading to a continental subduction and collision. They demon-
strate that the Neotethys ocean widened during the Mesozoic–
Early Tertiary with a rapid Tertiary closure induced by plate
convergence. At the Tethys scale, this convergence led to the reac-
tivation of previous structures and generalized tectonic inversion
which was the cause of the main Tethyan orogenies (Zargouni,
1985; Ben Ayed, 1986; Boukadi, 1994; Catalano et al., 1996;
Belayouni et al., 2009).
The eastern extend of the Maghreb mountains in the Tunisian
domain occupies a privileged position within the North of the Afri-
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +216 98 484 274.
E-mail address: feriddhahri@yahoo.fr (F. Dhahri).
can craton adjacent to the alpine domain (Fig. 1A). From Morocco
to Tunisia, Atlassic structures record the early transtensional phase
of the Triassic–Jurassic times relevant for both, Tethyan and the
Tunisian scales (Richert, 1971; Dercourt et al., 1986; Soyer and
Tricart, 1987; Martinez et al., 1991; Boukadi et al., 1992; Boukadi,
1994; Boukadi and Bédir, 1996; Piqué et al., 1998; Bédir et al.,
2000; Brunet and Cloetingh, 2003; Abbes, 2004). The structural
development of the geological structures is linked to African plate
drift and the opening of Tethys due to sinistral slip between the
Europe and Africa plates (Dercourt et al., 1986; Soyer and Tricart,
1987; Piqué et al., 1998; Brunet and Cloetingh, 2003; Laville
et al., 2004). This development results in rifting, normal and
strike-slip faulting, graben formation, subsidence and halokinesis.
The tectonic inversion started after the Cretaceous time in
Tunisia and is characterized by two main shortening episodes in
Eocene and Mio-Pliocene times as a result of the Africa–Europe
convergence (Piqué et al., 1998). In Central Tunisia, the maximum
principal horizontal stress which led to the shortening is oriented
NW–SE and Mio-Pliocene in age (Rabhi, 1999; Boukadi, 1994). It
created mainly NE–SW folds and NW–SE grabens in the Tunisian
Atlassic domain. During the Atlassic events (Mio-Pliocene), tec-
tonic inversion became evident on the Tethyan scale (Brunet and
Cloetingh, 2003; Morgan et al., 1992).
Laville et al. (2004) describe homologous and contemporary
deformation within the High and Middle Atlas of Morocco,
with synrift subsiding marine basins inverted and uplifted since
the Miocene as a result of the Atlassic shortening. In Tunisia, the

1464-343X/$ - see front matter Ó 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2009.07.002
140 F. Dhahri, N. Boukadi / Journal of African Earth Sciences 56 (2010) 139–149

Fig. 1. A. Structural sketch of the Maghreb with location of OBB (Ousselet-Bou Dabbous-Bou Hajar) in Central Tunisia. B. Tectonic background of the study area and
neighbouring domains: (1) studied area, (2) contour of structures, (3) trias, (4) outcropping fault, (5) graben, (6) thrust and reverse fault, (7) hydrographic network.

Mio-Pliocene compressional phase accentuated earlier folds with
thrusting towards the SE. It was responsible also for the SE nappes
migration in the north of Tunisia (Brunet and Cloetingh, 2003). This
tectonic phase can be correlated with the initiation of the Europe–
Africa collision.
The aim of this work is to specify the role of the previous
tectonics in the structural development of the Ousselet-Bou
Hajar belt (OBB) which is part of the Tunisian Atlassic domain
(Fig. 1). It is also an attempt to correlate the kinematics of
regional structures to the major events within the Atlassic chain.
We started our study with the interpretation of satellite imageres.
Thereafter, tectono-sedimentary observations and field mapping
are undertaken to provide the structural setting and the
kinematic model for the studied area. Seismic data consulted in
Hydrocarbure Tunisia Corporation (HTC) shows evidences from
depth.
2. Geological setting
The study area is located in Central Tunisia (Fig. 1). It is com-
prised of the fault-bounded orographic chain of the OBB (Fig. 2)
which is made of several cretaceous blocs largely deformed by
Tertiary to Quaternary faults, strike-slips and thrusts (Dhahri and
Boukadi, 2007; Dhahri, 2009). This composite chain separates the
Ousseltia syncline, in the west, from the Bou Morra-Saouaf
syncline, in the east. And it forms a transition zone between the
Zaghouan thrust (Delteil and Turki, 1986; Morgan et al., 1992)
 F. Dhahri, N. Boukadi / Journal of African Earth Sciences 56 (2010) 139–149 141

Fig. 2. Geological map of the Ousselet-Bou Dabbous-Bou Hajar (Modified after, Dhahri and Boukadi, 2007). (1) Trias. (2) Aleg formation (Coniacian–Santonian). (3) Abiod
formation (Campanian–Maastrichtian). (4) Haria formation (Paleocene). (5) Ypresian. (6) Souar formation (Lutetian-Priabonian). (7) Oligocene. (8) Miocene–Pliocene. (9)
Quaternary-recent. (10) Location of structural data of Fig. 6. (11) Thrust and reverse fault. (12) Outcropping fault. (13) Subsurface fault. Sections 1 and 2 are presented in
Fig. 4.

and the N–S axis of Tunisia (Fig. 1) which is a major north–south-
oriented chain separating a western folded domain from the east-
ern Sahel’s one (Burollet, 1956; Boccaletti et al., 1988; Baird et al.,
1990; Boukadi, 1994; Dhahri and Boukadi, 2007; Dhahri, 2009).
Effectively, it forms a transition zone between two main structural
domains in Tunisia: the Central Atlas in the west and the Pelagian
Shelf in the east (Fig. 1).
2.1. Stratigraphic setting
The stratigraphic series outcropping within the study area are
essentially of Coniacian to Pliocene in age, although the Bou Dab-
bous anticline is pierced by Triassic evaporites. The OBB outcrops
are Coniacian to Eocene in age (Fig. 2). Post-Eocene to recent
deposits flanks the OBB orographic terrane. The sedimentary series
142 F. Dhahri, N. Boukadi / Journal of African Earth Sciences 56 (2010) 139–149

facies which is Nummulitic in the south and rich of Globigerina

in the north. They show also considerable thickness variations for
the Upper Cretaceous, Paleocene and Ypresian sequences. Gener-
ally, the thickness of these sequences increases from the border
to the core of the OBB and from the south to the north. For exam-
ple, the Ypresian limestones are about 160 m in the Ousselet fault-
bounded bloc and 80 m in the Jebil anticline (Fig. 4). Whereas
around the Bou Hajar anticline these limestones across 250 m.
And they are reduced at about 50 m at the east of Melez structure.
These thickness changes allow us to consider the OBB a subsiding
basin during the Upper Cretaceous to the Ypresian.

2.2. Structural features

The OBB forms an elongate terrane delineated to the north and

the south by structural lows filled with post-Ypresian deposits
(Fig. 2). The folded strata of the western and eastern flanks are ori-
ented N25. At the larger scale, the OBB represents a tectonic corri-
dor trending north–south at its southern part and NNE-SSW to the
north. It represented an Upper Cretaceous–Eocene subsiding basin
(Turki, 1984; Rigane, 1991; Dhahri and Boukadi, 2007; Dhahri,
2009). Inside this chain, some folds seem to be arranged in an
en-echelon pattern (Rhanzour-Halfa-Bou Dabbous-Bou Hajar).
From south to the north, we recognise various folds which are
associated with thrust and reverse faults such as Jebil, Rhanzour,
Halfa, Bou Dabbous, Zerdoud, Ouchtetia, Bou Hajar and Melez
Fig. 3. Lithostratigraphic column of the OBB. Only the outcropping series within the
(Fig. 2).
OBB are represented.

2.3. Fault systems and tilted blocks

are characterized by thick stratigraphic sequences of interbedded
carbonates and claystones (Fig. 3). In addition, outcropping series Numerous faults are well expressed throughout the Upper
show numerous lateral facies variations, specifically the Ypresian Cretaceous and Ypresian limestones (Fig. 2). In addition, several

Fig. 4. Geological profiles (location in Fig. 2). In Section 1: the Triassic outcrop testify that the Bou Dabbous fault affect downward. Section 2 shows that the Ousselet block is
bounded by two main thrust faults and that Aleg, Abiod, Haria and Bou Dabbous formations are thicker in the Ousselet block in comparison with eastern and western area.
 F. Dhahri, N. Boukadi / Journal of African Earth Sciences 56 (2010) 139–149
Fig. 5. Satellite image of the study area showing several morphostructural disruptions which correspond to the network of deep faults: (1) anticline, (2) syncline, (3)
outcropping fault, (4) subsurface fault, (5) thrust and reverse fault.
flexures are well shown in the satellite imagery (Fig. 5). In fact,
these flexures that pass through the OBB in NE–SW direction rep-
resent the network of main early faults which are overlaid by the
sedimentation since the Upper Cretaceous to actual and may re-
main blind or concealed beneath cover sequences. The replay of
these faults is reflected by the NE–SW flexures and associated
folds. We can differentiate at least four faults; these of Ousselet-
Dekhila, Bou Dabbous-Halfa, Bou Dabbous and the Bou Hajar one’s
(Fig. 5). The Triassic outcrops in the Bou Dabbous core testify that
the Bou Dabbous fault affect downward (Fig. 5). Other main faults
that affect at under the Upper Cretaceous series bound the struc-
tures of the OBB according the NNE-SSW direction such as these
showing in Section 2 of Fig. 4.
Generally shallow and main faults follow two main directions
N–S and NE–SW. According to these directions, basements faults
dissect the OBB into various tectonic blocks. In addition to the NS
and NE–SW fault systems already highlighted, deep fault include
also some master thrusts underlying the study area such as the
Zaghouan thrust, the NS fault of the NS axis and the Cherichira-
Batene fault (Fig. 5).
143
2.4. Fault kinematics and deformation styles
At east of Ousselet and Melez structures and west of Ousselet
and Bou Dabbous structures (Fig. 2), some faults within the NS
trend appear. Structural data including fault plane orientations,
directions and senses of slips within these faults relative to the
compressional regime suggest oblique-slip activity (Fig. 6, 3 and
4). The most remarkable N–S faults are represented by the west-
verging thrusts faults bounding the western flank of the OBB
(Abbes et al., 1981) and two east-verging thrusts east Ouchtetia
and Ousselet structures (Fig. 2). They are also well expressed on
the eastern border of the OBB. They crop out as thrust faults at
the southern and northern extends (Fig. 2). Some fault planes re-
lated to this system exhibit some kinematic indicators (striations
and grooves) testifying its kinematics. In Ain Debouba (northern
part of Melez structure), horizontal grooves are carved in the Haria
formation marls (Fig. 7A). These grooves are overlaid by a breccia
which exposes oblique striation. This situation testifies an early
lateral displacement followed by a NE-verging thrust. The NS fault
system shows also strike-slip with associate structures. The
144 F. Dhahri, N. Boukadi / Journal of African Earth Sciences 56 (2010) 139–149
Fig. 6. Lower hemisphere stereographic projection of planes and striation of some main faults (see Fig. 2 for location) showing oblique-slip activity: strike-slip activity for
Melez and Jebil NS faults. Ouchtetia and Jebil NNE-SSW faults are oblique-slip faults; the Oued Marg fault is dip slip with r2 subhorizontal.
Ypresian limestones of the Chakeur fold show some metre scale
strike-slip structures such as pull-apart structures, tectonic lenses,
calcite veins and breccias (Fig. 7B). The examples of structures in
Fig. 8 give evidence for the transpressional regime after the Ypre-
sian time. The sketch A (Fig. 8A) show an inverted sinistral
strike-slip fault in the Ypresian limestone of the Chakeur fold with
associated uplifted block and tectonic lenses. The transpressional
regime leaded to reverse fault, strike-slip and bed to bed sliding
in the Abiod formation carbonate layers of the Ouchtetia
(Fig. 8B). And in the western flank of Zerdoud, it leaded to tilted
and inverted blocks that thrust to the west (Fig. 8C).
The NE–SW system gathers numerous shallow faults affecting
the Abiod and Ypresian limestones along the OBB (Fig. 2). Accord-
ing to the present-day morphostructural disruptions showed in the
satellite imagery (Fig. 5) and to kinematic data (Fig. 6, 2, 3 and 5),
the NE–SW faults are indicative of oblique-slip faults (Ouchtetia
and Jebil faults) and reverse fault with reverse slip and r2 subhor-
izontal (Oued Marg fault). This kinematics is well shown at the
northern extend of the OBB when the Abiod and Ypresian lime-
stone of the Melez fold are affected by NE–SW dextral strike-slip
faults.
Ypresian and Abiod limestones expose good examples of
strongly deformed structures. In fact, when the structures are tilted
at the limbs of tectonic lenses and thrust-fronts, several bed to bed
sliding, decollements and back-thrusts occur (Figs. 8C and 9). Here
we can give the example of the intra-formational decollement due
to a bed to bed sliding in Ain Debouba (Fig. 9A) and the west-verg-
ing back-thrust exposing bed to bed sliding and horizontal
brecciaed lenses at the east of Zemlia (Fig. 9B). All these deforma-
tions and reactivated structures document the impact of the
compressional stress.
3. Discussion of the OBB tectonic inversion and the structural
and kinematic model
Generally the structural background of the Tunisian Atlasic do-
main is characterized by N–S, NE–SW, EW and NW–SE oriented
main faults. In the study area especially N–S and NE–SW are clearly
exposed (Figs. 2 and 5). During the early NE–SW Mesozoic trans-
tensional phase maintained until the Upper Cretaceous, N–S faults
evolved as transtensional strike-slip and NE–SW ones as normal
faults (Abbes, 2004). At the OBB scale, this extension is docu-
mented by the deposition of the Abiod formation. The Abiod for-
mation slumps suggest evolution of a late Cretaceous relief. In
addition, the wide expression of well documented breccias, slumps
and thickness and facies variations testify a syn-sedimentary tec-
tonic activity. In fact, around the study area, the tectonic regime
became instable since the Upper Cretaceous (Abbes, 2004; Dhahri
and Boukadi, 2007). So, the tectonic inversion started progres-
sively, since the Upper Cretaceous, to reactivate the previous struc-
tures that developed during the extensional phase. However this
reactivation upraises the area yet because Abiod, Haria and Bou
Dabbous formations (Fig. 3) show an increased deposition thick-
ness. In contrast, the Souar formation thick is about 300 m along
the OBB but it reached the 800 m at both sides. This set testifies
the uprising of the OBB during the Late Eocene.
In many cases, field studies and experimental models (Gos-
combe et al., 2003; Woodcock and Rickards, 2003; De Paola
et al., 2006; Soto et al., 2007) show that normal faults, which oc-
curred in transtension, are usually reactivated as thrust faults
when they experience successive contractional phases. In the Tuni-
sian Atlassic domain, several studies describe the impact of the tec-
tonic inversion and highlight the dominance of previous
transtensional system subsequently inverted as a fold-thrust belt
(Ben Ayed, 1986; Anderson, 1996; Boukadi et al., 1992; Abbes,
2004).
When the OBB experienced the contractional phase some struc-
tural and sedimentary disruptions became manifested. The previ-
ous NS strike-slips experience transpressional regime in response
to the NW–SE stress and the progressive inversion of structures
amplify and influence the geometry of the internal structures.
Since the Early Eocene, successive NW–SE shortening episodes be-
gan to affect the area (Rigane, 1991; Rabhi, 1999; Dhahri and Bouk-
adi, 2007; Dhahri, 2009). The shortening resulted in an inversion of
the basin. This created an uplifted area that separated the Ousseltia
 F. Dhahri, N. Boukadi / Journal of African Earth Sciences 56 (2010) 139–149 145

Fig. 7. Photographs of some structures representative of the strike-slip stage along the NS faults. (A) Horizontal grooves carved in the Haria marls within the previous fault at
the east of the Melez structure. It testifies the previous lateral displacement during the transtensional regime. (B) Sinistral strike-slip in the Ypresian limestones of the
Chakeur fold. The sketch shows some associated structures specific of strike-slip deformation.
146 F. Dhahri, N. Boukadi / Journal of African Earth Sciences 56 (2010) 139–149

Fig. 8. Examples of reactivated structures in the Ypresian and Abiod limestones. (A) Photograph and a sketch of an inverted sinistral strike-slip fault in the Ypresian limestone
of the Chakeur fold with associated uplifted block and tectonic lenses. (B) metre scale reverse fault, strike-slip and bed to bed sliding in the Abiod formation carbonate layers
of the Ouchtetia. (C) tilted and inverted blocks with associated decollement in the western flank of Zerdoud.

syncline, in the west, from the Bou Morra-Saouef syncline in the
East. The uprising is suggested by the absence of syntectonic
post-Eocene depositions which flanks the OBB.
In a first stage, the Eocene NE–SW transpressional regime leads
to sinistral strike-slips along deep faults. Generally, this set leads to
Riedel shears and anastomosing shear zones which developed
isolated tectonic lenses (Soto et al., 2007). In a second stage, when
the Miocene Atlassic stress increases progressively, the fault-
bounded basin of OBB shortened. Some NE–SW folds occur (Jebil,
Rhanzour, Chakeur, Halfa, Melez and Bou Hajar). Along the shear
zone, inhomogeneous deformations and anastomosing linear faults
appear progressively (Mc Clay et al., 2004). During the Plio-Quater-
nary compressional events, the deformation of the sedimentary
series was widespread and resulted thrusts, uplift and tilted blocks
 F. Dhahri, N. Boukadi / Journal of African Earth Sciences 56 (2010) 139–149
Fig. 9. (A). The NS thrust east Melez (Ain Debouba) with intra-formational decollement. (B). West-verging back-thrust (associated to the Zemlia east-verging thrust) exposing
bed to bed sliding and horizontal brecciaed lenses.
with the development of tectonic lenses that display opposite
vergence.
The present-day configuration of the OBB exposes some com-
plex structures; the Zerdoud block is a pop-up (Fig. 4), the Ouchte-
tia structure is loaded in a faulted area (Fig. 2), the Abiod
limestones within it shows strongly disharmonic geometry and
internal deformation which relates reverse faulting and metre
scale folds (Fig. 8B) to regional transpression. The main thrusts
are exposed on both sides of the OBB which are underlined by
faults previously bounding the OBB; hence, the thrust-system po-
sition is generally influenced by the pre-existing faults (Soto,
2007).
In addition to previous early faults, other factors contributed to
increase the deformation and to testify the magnitude of the tec-
tonic process. It is about: (i) the competency contrasts which
allows consequent differences in deformation behaviour between
adjacent domains as described in Goodwin and Tikoff (2002). In
the study area, some thrusts and decollements also highlighted
by Anderson (1996), were facilitated by the inter-relationship of
claystone-limestone units. Thus, decollements can be initiated
along the claystone layers interbedded in the limestone units. (ii)
The thickness variation of the series along the area. (iii) The Trias-
sic evaporitic rocks along the Bou Dabbous fault resulted in
mechanical contrast and heterogeneity which influence deforma-
tion style.
Hence, we infer a tectonic inversion of a previous subsiding ba-
sin that consequently led to a positive flower structure, this consid-
eration is supported by other studies carried out to the south of the
OBB (Boccaletti et al., 1988; Boukadi, 1994; Abbes, 2004) that
interpret the NS axis of Tunisia as a flower structure. In the area
of study, tectonic inversion within the OBB is reflected in the devel-
opment of upland outlined by late sediments since the Mid-Late
147
Eocene (Dhahri and Boukadi, 2007; Dhahri, 2009). The uplift is
the cause of the normal faults inverted in reverse faults. This inver-
sion decreases the continued subsiding deposition which is known
during the Late Cretaceous–Early Palaeogene.
In the Tunisian domain, geologic structures reflect the Central
Mediterranean tectonics. Herein, we attempt a reconstitution of
the kinematic model, drawing relationships between the architec-
ture of the cover and the tectonic background. The study area rep-
resents the northern extend of the NS axis of Tunisia which
developed during the Atlassic orogeny due to the reactivation of
a Pre-Jurassic basement fractures. Basement fractures controlled
the sedimentation and the trend of many younger structures dur-
ing the Mesozoic and Cenozoic times (Burollet, 1956, 1981; Rabhi,
1999; Abbes, 2004; Dhahri, 2009).
This study demonstrates that the OBB occupies an upper Creta-
ceous subsiding area developed during a transtensional regional
event. Tectonic inversion leads to the development of a positive
flower structure (Fig. 10). The structural configuration of the OBB
consists of N–S and NE–SW faults systems. Unfortunately the ear-
lier geological outcrops are from Upper Cretaceous in the study
area (Triassic series outcrops unconformably). Therefore we inte-
grate the previous deformations in the regional tectonic context
of the Atlassic chain. Accordingly, the configuration of these blocks
was controlled by the kinematics and by the previous tectonics
occurred during the Mesozoic transtensional phase resulted espe-
cially in N–S and NE–SW strike-slip faults (Fig. 10A). Next, since
the Upper Cretaceous times, the tectonic regime inversion is
documented by syn-sedimentary breccias and slumps indicating
the instability of the basin. Then during the Atlassic phase
the transpression is progressively generalized to create overlaps
along the N–S faults and lateral displacements along NE–SW
faults (Fig. 10B). Thereafter, the continuous shortening of the
148 F. Dhahri, N. Boukadi / Journal of African Earth Sciences 56 (2010) 139–149
Fig. 10. 3D sketch showing the configuration and the kinematics of the Ousselet-Bou Hajar chain during the transtensional phase followed by the Atlassic compressional
phase (tectonic inversion).
Plio-Quaternary events tilted progressively the preceding blocks
which uplift and thrust on both sides.
4. Conclusions
The Tunisian domain included in an inter-plate region records
successive phases of transtension and transpression linked to the
movement between the European and African plates. The Meso-
zoic–Early Tertiary extensional structures due to the Neotethys
ocean widening are reactivated during the Cenozoic transpression-
al regime as a consequence of the Africa–Europe convergence. This
convergence led to the reactivation of previous structures and
generalized tectonic inversion which was the cause of the main
Tethyan orogenies. The tectonic inversion started after the Creta-
ceous in Tunisia and recorded two main shortening episodes from
Eocene and Mio-Pliocene. It was responsible for the occurrence
NE–SW Atlassic folds, SE nappes migration in the north of Tunisia
and the reactivation of early structures.
The Ousselet-Bou Hajar chain exposes complex architecture
that associate deep and cover faults. It exemplifies a Mesozoic sub-
siding basin evolved until Cenozoic tectonic inversion to create a
positive flower structure. Its tectono-sedimentary record reflects
the mechanical influence of reactivation of previous tectonics in
the structural evolution of the study area and points out the signif-
icant role of the tectonic inheritance in the development of the Atl-
assic chain of Tunisia.
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