Arabian Journal of Geosciences (2021) 14:1331

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-07695-y

ORIGINAL PAPER

The geodynamic evolution style of belt structures in Southern

Tunisian Atlas: case study of Chemsi anticline
Khaled Lazzez 1 & Mohamed Sadok Bensalem 2 & Marzouk Lazzez 3 & Achraf Boulares 3 & Mohamed Ghanmi 1

Received: 14 November 2020 / Accepted: 21 June 2021

# Saudi Society for Geosciences 2021

Abstract
During the Late Permian and especially at the Early Mesozoic periods, the tectonic evolution of Southern Tunisian Atlas is
marked by a Permo-Triassic rift phase that led to the dislocation of the stable continental platform, a Jurassic-Cretaceous passive
margin stage, and the inversion of the main basins of the platform during the Tertiary Atlassic orogenesis. Our study area around
the Chemsi anticline is located in the Southern Tunisian Atlas. The Chemsi anticline shows a distinguished axis fold’s variation
across the Gafsa fault. The aim of our study is to explain the virgation of the Chemsi anticline in the east part of the Gafsa fault.
The surface and subsurface data were used to illustrate the structural evolution of Chemsi anticline during tectonics events. The
extensional deformation is illustrated by a normal Gafsa fault since Triassic to Lower Cretaceous. The basin geometry and
structural evolution were differentiated by Triassic deposits across the Southern Tunisian Atlas. The reverse dip associated with
the strike-slip system identified in the field study indicates a compressive phase starting in Upper Cretaceous. During the Atlassic
compressive phases, the reactivation of the preexisting Gafsa normal fault enhances the geodynamic evolution of the Chemsi
anticline. This structure shows a distinguished variation of fold geometry with axis virgation in the eastern part which linked to
the strike-slip system of N-S axis and Gafsa reverse fault during Post-Villafranchian compressive phase. All the data results
support us to create a conceptual structural model explaining the axis fold’s virgation of the Chemsi anticline.

Keywords Chemsi anticline . Gafsa fault . Tectonic reactivation . Thrusting system . Strike-slip system . Virgation

Introduction remain inconclusive even though many authors agree on the

Tunisia is a key region of the northern African margin, lying at
the intersection between the eastern and western
Mediterranean domains (Bouaziz et al. 2002). It also straddles
the orogenic domain and the stable platform (Ben Ayed 1986;
Bouaziz 1995). The tectonic polyphase of the Southern
Tunisian Atlas was widely studied. A majority of these re-
search stated that the role of inherited features, halokinesis,
and the latest inversion shown by surface and subsurface data
Responsible Editor: François Roure
* Khaled Lazzez
lazzezkhaled@yahoo.com
1
Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar,
Tunis, Tunisia
2
Faculty of Sciences of Gabes, University of Gabes, Gabès, Tunisia
3
Entreprise Tunisienne d’Activités Pétrolières (ETAP), 54 Avenue
Mohamed V, 1002 Tunis, Tunisia
influence of the ante-Triassic basement on the sedimentary
layout (Guiraud 1986; Buchanan and McClay 1992; Coward
1994; Sibson 1995; Zouari 1995; Ziegler et al. 1998; Hlaiem
1999a ; Marshak et al. 2000; Zouaghi et al. 2005 ; Carrera
et al. 2006).
The reactivation of inherited normal faults is a commonly
observed phenomenon in “fold-thrust belts” for those with a
strike opposing the subsequent compression direction (Said
et al. 2011a). The reverse movement of the pre-existing ex-
tensional systems is typically driven by pre-existing normal
faults that bound full graben or half-graben (Bally 1983;
Haller 1983; Zargouni et al. 1985; Zouari et al. 1999;
Zouaghi 2008; Bensalem 2010; Said et al. 2011a; Gharbi
et al. 2015). The existence of Triassic deposits in the sedimen-
tary sequences further complicates the inversion process
(Masrouhi et al. 2019). The presence of salt, which character-
izes the Triassic deposits, is also involved in the inversion
mode, together with the classical occurrence of the preferen-
tial major decoupling, along with these layers’ types (Roure
et al. 1992; Hlaiem 1999b). The southern Tunisian Atlas is the
1331 Page 2 of 15
subject of several studies conducted during the recent years.
Ahmadi (2006) stated that the anticline structure in this zone is
a result of a ramp-related folding. Zouaghi et al. (2011) agreed
with the research of Ahmadi (2006) and confirmed that a
dominant thick-skinned tectonics style involves the
Paleozoic basement. Gharbi et al. (2015) interpreted the inver-
sion of the Tunisian South Atlas Foreland starting in the Late
Cretaceous and continuing for two tectonic events. Masrouhi
et al. (2019) explained the fold’s distribution related to the
strike-slip fault systems.
The aim of this study is to highlight the geodynamic evo-
lution style of belt structures in Chemsi anticline. Therefore,
the surface data such as geologic mapping, cross-sections, and
subsurface data (wells’ petroleum data and seismic lines) were
called upon and analyzed. A tectonostratigraphic framework
is also established for the wider area in order to show a de-
tailed seismo-stratigraphic interpretation and present the re-
gional context for evaluating the structural elements.
Geological setting
Tunisia is located in the eastern edge of North Africa, bor-
dered by the Mediterranean Sea to the North, Algeria to the
West, and Libya to the South-East (Fig. 1). The Southern
Tunisian Atlas belongs to the western Paleo-Tethys margin
of the North African plate (Frizon de Lamotte et al. 2000,
2011; Guiraud et al. 2005; Said et al. 2011a; Amamria et al.
2016). It is a transition zone between the northern Chotts
ranging to the South, the Central Tunisian Atlas to the
North, and the N-S axis to the northeast. The structure of the
Southern Tunisian Atlas is the outcome of a complex tectonic
evolution which started during the Triassic, Jurassic, and
Middle Cretaceous ages, related to the breakup of Pangea
and ended with the Cenozoic Atlassic orogeny.
Fig. 1 (A) Structural context of North African Craton. (B) The structural units of Tunisia
Arab J Geosci (2021) 14:1331
The Mesozoic is essentially marked by extensional tecton-
ics overprinted by post-Mesozoic compressional phases in-
cluding continental collision, resulting in the development of
the Gafsa basins (Carr 2003). In addition, during the Triassic-
Jurassic period, the geodynamic style of the Southern
Tunisian Atlas shows a deepening of NW trending normal
fault (Gharbi et al. 2014; Masrouhi et al. 2019). The Triassic
is an extensive age, associated to evaporative deposits, which
continued during the Early Jurassic in some parts of the Gafsa
basin. Rifting affected the area once again during Liassic
times (oriented NE-SW) (Zouari 1995; Zouaghi 2008). This
led to the development of the southern Tethyan margin’s
opening (Bouaziz et al. 2002). The Southern Tunisian region
is characterized by a N-S extension during Dogger times
(Jaillard et al. 2017; Naji et al. 2018). The extension produced
an E-W trending shelf, lasting from the Jurassic to Early
Cretaceous. This shelf was dominated by shallow water car-
bonate deposition and interrupted by clastics during periods of
tectonic unrest or low sea-level stands. Halokinesis of Triassic
salt has begun since the Jurassic, continuing to Cretaceous
times. Salt movement controls the sediment distribution and
the location of intra-shelf highs during periods of extensional
tectonics (Hlaiem et al. 1999a). During periods of compres-
sional tectonics, salt remobilization accentuates these highs,
giving rise to piercement features and salt domes (Zouaghi
et al. 2005; Lazzez et al. 2020). An Upper Aptian-Early
Albian, transpressive event affected the North-Eastern
African plate (from NE-SW to ENE-WSW) (Bouaziz et al.
2002). This resulted in differential uplifts and emergences,
leading to the development of the Austrian unconformity; this
major event represents a period of maximum regression in the
area (Bracène and Frizon de Lamotte 2002). The Austrian
event was followed by predominant extension tectonics, cre-
ating a major depression in the Chott basin (Lazzez et al.
2008). The Cretaceous extension generally followed a NE-
Arab J Geosci (2021) 14:1331
SW to E-W direction, producing NW-SE trending basins
(Bouaziz et al. 2002). During the Late Maastrichtian–
Paleocene, inversions began in the north, related to Africa-
Eurasia convergence. Two major NW-SE trending compres-
sions occurred during the Late Eocene (El Ghali et al. 2003;
Khomsi et al. 2006) and during the Middle-Late Miocene,
alternating with extensive periods in the Eocene, Oligocene,
Miocene, and Pliocene ages (Bouaziz et al. 2002; Said et al.
2011a; Gharbi et al. 2013).
The latest compressional events (Atlassic and Post-
Villafranchian compressive phases) controlling the develop-
ment of the Atlassic fold and thrust belt are the main events in
this region (Vially et al. 1994; Ziegler et al. 1995; Frizon de
Lamotte et al. 2011; Masrouhi and Koyi, 2012; Roure et al.
2012; Masrouhi et al., 2013; Van Hinsbergen et al., 2014;
Leprêtre et al. 2018).
The Metlaoui-Gafsa area includes right-stepping “en-eche-
lon” folds related to the strike-slip fault systems (Hlaiem et al.
1999a; Masrouhi et al. 2019), following different directions
NE-SW and E-W (e.g., Sehib, Berda, Chemsi, Belkhir anti-
clines) (Fig. 2). The tectonic style is characterized by the
Fig. 2 Structural map of the Southern-Central Tunisian Atlas: The principal directions of the belt’s structures are NE-SW, E-W, and NW-SE
Page 3 of 15 1331
existence of structures related to the NW-SE Gafsa fault sys-
tem (Zargouni and Abbes, 1987; Boukadi, 1994; Said et al.,
2011b; Amamria et al. 2016; Masrouhi et al. 2019). This fault
was inherited from the Late Triassic and Jurassic Tethyan
extension as Eurasia got separated from Africa (Soussi and
Ben Ismaïl, 2000; Kamoun et al., 2001; Gharbi et al. 2015).
The shortening axis is corresponding to the Atlassic compres-
sive phase (Late Miocene) with NW-SE direction and Post-
Villafranchian compressive phase of direction N-S (Caire
1971; Zargouni and Termolières, 1981; Zouari et al. 1990).
This poses a hypothesis concerning (1) the impact of the
twice-compressive phases (Atlassic and Post-Villafranchian)
and the interplay of different tectonic events which will be
analyzed in the structural model, and (2) the current axis fold
direction of the Chemsi anticline may be a result of the junc-
tion of two tectonic accidents (Gafsa fault and N-S axis).
Outcrop stratigraphic context
The on-site observed stratigraphic series outcropping within
the study area extend from Albian to Quaternary ages (Fig. 3).
1331 Page 4 of 15
Fig. 3 Synthetic
lithostratigraphic column of
Chemsi structures
Several hiatuses characterize this domain; the major one is
marked by the Mio-Plio-Quaternary series that uncomfortably
overlie the Cretaceous strata presented by the Campanian-
Maastrichtian which is in accordance with Gharbi et al.’s
(2014) research (Fig. 4). This unconformity marks the signif-
icant tectonic event along with the southern Tunisian Atlas,
especially in the Chemsi anticline.
Furthermore, the Albian deposits correspond to a dolomite
and claystone succession, associated with thin anhydrite beds.
In the Jebel Chemsi, the Albian outcropping strata are topped
by a thick massive dolomite sequence of the Lower Member
of the Zebbag Formation while this layer can reach a maxi-
mum of 200 m in the northern flank of the Chemsi anticline
Arab J Geosci (2021) 14:1331
(Figs. 3 and 5) (Gharbi et al. 2014). The observed
Cenomanian-Turonian series mainly consist of marine lime-
stones and claystone of the upper member of the Zebbag
Formation. These series consist of 350-m-thick marine lime-
stone and claytons in the Jebel Chemsi (Burollet, 1956;
Zargouni et al. 1985; Zouari et al. 1990; Abdallah et al.
1995) (Figs. 3 and 5). The Coniacian-Santonian series corre-
spond to Aleg Formations conformably overlying the previ-
ous deposits. The Aleg Formation is subdivided into three
lithostratigraphic sequences. The Beidha (Annaba) member
is 50 m thick, composed of gray-green gypsums marls, rich
in organic substances alternating with thin dolomite layers at
the top. The Bireno member is 130 m thick, characterized by
Arab J Geosci (2021) 14:1331
Fig. 4 Photos showing (A) the unconformity of the Segui Formation over
the Abiod Formation in the northern flank of Chemsi anticline. (B)
Overview of small scale of folder system of Segui Formation result of
Post-Villafranchian compressive phase. (C and D) Overview of presence
of the conglomerates in the north flank of Chemsi anticline
an alternation of carbonates and marls and limestones with
thin laminated and bioturbated limestones, interbedded with
marls (Pervinquière 1903; Bismuth et al. 1981). The Douleb
member is 120 m thick, composed of an alternation of lime-
stones, dolomite limestones, dolomites, and thin marl beds.
Campanian-Late Maastrichtian series is formed by marine
limestone and claystone of the Abiod Formation (locally
named Berda Formation) and characterized by the thickness
and facies variations (Negra 1994). Campanian-Late
Maastrichtian series can reach a maximum of 350 m in thick-
ness in the northern flank of the Chemsi anticline; these series
correspond to limestone and indicate a shallow marine depo-
sition environment (Mejri et al. 2006). The Late Cretaceous
sequences are unconformably overlain by the marine Late
Maastrichtian and Miocene (Zouaghi et al. 2011; Said et al.,
2011b). The Paleocene series correspond to 10- to 20-m
shales’ thickness in the El Haria Formation (Ben Youssef
et al. 1989). This layer outcrops only in the southern flank
of the Chemsi anticline. But the Eocene, Oligocene, and
Page 5 of 15 1331
Lower Miocene deposits are absent around the Chemsi struc-
ture. The Upper Cretaceous compressive system resulted in
sedimentary hiatus during this period.
The Mio-Plio-Quaternary layers’ sequences correspond to
conglomerate deposits at its base (Zargouni and Termolières
1981; Mejri et al. 2006; Ahmadi et al. 2013). The upper part
consists of a thick unit of yellow sand and local conglomerate
(Burollet, 1956) (Fig. 3). These deposits are well developed
on the northern flank of the Chemsi anticline. These series
coincide with the Alpine orogeny (Zargouni et al. 1985;
Gharbi et al. 2014). The Segui Formation unconformably
overlies the upper member of the Abiod Formation, and marks
the numerous tectonic events along the Chemsi anticline (Fig.
4).
Structural and geodynamic style
The Chemsi structure is a dissymmetric anticline limited in the
southeast by Belkhir fault following a NE-SW direction and
truncated by Gafsa fault with a NW-SE direction associated
with axis virgation from E-W to NE-SW (Fig. 5). It has been
affected by both extensional and compressional fault systems
of NW-SE directions since the Mesozoic to the Quaternary
phases (Boukadi 1985; BenYoussef and Peybernes 1986;
Zghal et al. 1998; Ghanmi 2012; Hfaiedh et al. 2013). To
illustrate the structural style and the deformation scale as well
as the evolution of the Gafsa fault, two cross-sections are
constructed. The outcropping of the Cretaceous series in the
study area shows a clear variation of the subsidence rate from
one limb to another (Fig. 5). The northern flank is marked by a
thickening formation compared to the southern one character-
ized by reduced units.
The NW-SE cross-section AA’ (Fig. 7) across the Upper
Cretaceous formations is limited in the southern limb by
Belkhir fault. This cross-section indicates an asymmetrical
anticline structure inverted to the south, characterized by a
thickness and dip variation. The Aleg and Zebbag
Formations in the northern flank indicate a high thickness,
which is the opposite of the southern flank having a reduced
thickness of these formations with the absence of Abiod
Formation. The distinctive thickness variation within Zebbag
Formation is associated to thickness change, which diverge
from 550 m in the north to 100 m in the south limb (Figs. 6
and 7). The absence of Abiod Formation in the southern flank
is related to the reactivation of the NE-SW pre-existing
Blekhir fault during the Upper Cretaceous, generalized on
the Southern Tunisian Atlas scale (Zargouni et al. 1985;
Boukadi 1994; Zouaghi 2008). The dipping of the Zebbag,
Guettar, Aleg, and Abiod Formations varies between 30° and
40° north. As for the southern part of this cross-section, it
reveals a 70° south-reverse dipping and confirms that the
Belkhir fault was reactivated as a thrusting fault during the
convergence system (Figs. 5 and 7). The Belkhir fault
1331 Page 6 of 15
Fig. 5 Geological map showing main features in the Chemsi anticline with NE-SW direction. Sections AA’ and BB’ are presented in Fig. 7
confirms the thrusting system in the Chemsi structure where
we have the Cenomanian deposits overlying the Coniacian-
Santonian Formation (Fig. 5).
The N-S cross-section BB’ (Fig. 7) indicates an anticline
structure inverted to the south with a horizontal hinge
explaining the geometry of a “fault-related fold” (Said et al.
2011a; Gharbi et al. 2015; Ahmadi et al. 2019). The thickness
variation of the Late Cretaceous formations is controlled by
NW-SE normal Gafsa fault (Fig. 6). In the northern flank, the
Aleg Formation has a thickness of 300 m at the Jebel Tkadalit,
50 m at southern flank and reduced to 30 m close to Gafsa
thrust fault. At the outcrop, the maximum thickness of the
Aleg Formation reached an east area of the Jebel Chemsi struc-
ture (300 m). This section proves a thickening of Upper
Cretaceous sequences toward the north part of the Chemsi an-
ticline. This thick block is deposited in a deep area with high
subsidence in response to the E–trending faults’ activity (Figs.
5 and 7) confirmed by the seismic line interpretation (Fig. 9). In
the northern limb, the formations explain a 30° to 40° north
dipping across the middle member of the Zebbag, the Guettar
Member, and the Aleg, Abiod, and Segui Formations.
However, the layers in the southern flank indicate between
Arab J Geosci (2021) 14:1331
40° and 50° south dipping where the Guettar Member is absent
(Fig. 7). This area offers a well-traced 15° to 40° angular un-
conformity between the Segui Formation series and Abiod de-
posits (Figs. 7 and 4). This discordance confirms that the
Chemsi anticline is affected by the two major compressive
tectonic phases, the NW-SE Atlassic (ante-Segui deposits)
and the N-S Post-Villafranchian phases (post-Segui deposits),
respectively. This structure records angular unconformity, a
difference and reverse dip, thickness variations, and a net over-
lap which was associated in thrust Gafsa fault during the sys-
tem’s convergence, accentuated by subsurface evaporates de-
posits. This geometry of outcrop-thrust connects down on large
thrust once located between the Basement and the sedimentary
cover, linked in the Triassic evaporitic layers at a depth of about
2900 m below sea level in the petroleum well W4 (Fig. 8).
Subcrop correlation and geodynamic system
The E-W correlation of stratigraphic well data across the study
area is shown in Fig. 8. Five wells were consulted, three of
which are implanted west of the Gafsa fault. Figure 8 includes
the wells’ data included around the Chemsi anticline.
Arab J Geosci (2021) 14:1331
Fig. 6 E-W lithostratigraphic correlation on both sides of the Gafsa fault in the Chemsi anticline
In the W4 well, the top of the late Triassic series is marked
at 2900 m depth below the sea level, which appears at the
Upper Triassic salt dome. The Jurassic sequence shows little
variation in thickness, though it generally expands toward the
east in W4 (Fig. 8). The subsurface correlation clearly illus-
trates a reduction of the Cretaceous thickness layers, in com-
parison with the sequence penetrated by the W1, 2, and 3
petroleum wells (Fig. 8).
There are numerous unconformities at both local and re-
gional scales, particularly in the Jurassic and Cretaceous for-
mations (Fig. 8). In the area around the W4 petroleum well, it
is observed that there is a maximum thickening of salt
piercement.
The sub-crop study indicates that there is a deepening of
Trias-Jurassic and lower Cretaceous layers from the east to the
west. W4 and W5 petroleum wells confirm the thickening of
Lower Cretaceous layers in the eastern part of the study area.
A subsidence inversion was illustrated from the Upper
Cretaceous in the Abiod Formation. The maximum thickness
was intercepted in the western part in the W2 well. This result
indicates that the Gafsa fault was a normal fault in Trias-
Page 7 of 15 1331
Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous ages; this is confirmed by the
tilted block sedimentation characterizing the Djeffara and
Gulf of Gabes during the same period (Lazzez et al. 2008).
The basin configuration during Trias-Lower Cretaceous was
confirmed by several wells drilled in the southeastern part of
Tunisia (Gabes Gulf and Djeffara basin) where a thickening of
sub-crop deposits of Trias–Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous
deposits is observed (Chihi et al. 2013). These same wells
reach up to the Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous reservoir. As
an example, the Zaouia concession’s wells are petroleum pro-
ductive with the Oxfordian-Kimmiredgian (Jurassic) forma-
tion (Mrabtine Formation) as a reservoir rock and the
Toarcian layer (Smida Formation) as the source rock. The
lithostratigraphic chart of Tunisia (Fig. 10) indicates a com-
pressive phase during the Campanian-Maastrichtian period
following a NW-SE direction (Zargouni et al. 1985; Said
2011a; Gharbi et al. 2015), confirmed by the reverse reactiva-
tion of the Gafsa fault (Fig. 10). This reverse fault is the first
factor influencing the subsidence inversion illustrated in the
sub-crop of this zone. The increasing of subsidence rate was
observed in the western part of the Gafsa fault, illustrated in
1331 Page 8 of 15
Fig. 7 Geological cross-sections (location in Fig. 5). Section AA’: the geometry of fault-propagation fold in dissymmetry Chemsi anticline. Section BB’:
Reactivation of the normal fault to reverse one in the Chemsi structure
Fig. 8. The Upper Cretaceous and Mio-Pliocene formations
were intercepted by the W1, W2, and W3 wells only in the
western part of the region. The same basin configuration in the
western part of Gafsa fault was confirmed by the Eocene
phosphate deposits in Tunisia. The region appears to tilt west-
wards in the Tertiary, where an Eocene phosphate deposit in
Mdhila, Redayef, and Moularès basins is observed. The sur-
face data allowed us to interpret the role of the preexistence of
the Gafsa normal fault. This paleo-normal fault was conse-
quently reactivated during the compressive tectonic phases.
Seismic interpretation would confirm this interpretation and
give more justification to the fault’s reactivation.
Seismic interpretation
Southern Tunisian Atlas, especially in the study area, has under-
gone successive deformation stages during different tectonic
events. The seismic interpretation allows us to investigate the
tectonic development and the evolution of the deformation zones
from Mesozoic to Quaternary times (Ghanmi et al. 2016).
The seismic line (Line 1) following an E-W direction pre-
sented in Fig. 9A shows at the eastern side a dome identified
by a thickening of Trias salt deposits, and Jurassic and Lower
Arab J Geosci (2021) 14:1331
Cretaceous formations. The stratigraphy in the western side of
Gafsa fault is characterized by gently folded reflectors, with
limited thickness compared with the eastern side (Fig. 9A).
According to this seismic line interpretation, thickness varia-
tion is linked to the activity of Mesozoic deep faults defining
the extensional stage in the southern atlas. There are no indi-
cations of Oligocene subsidence within the block, as reflected
by no depositions of Tertiary layers. These normal faults were
reactivated as a strike-slip fault since Lower Cretaceous, as
seen by the geometry deposits between east and west (Fig.
9A). It is observed that the strike-slip zones acted as a way
out of salt deposits around the study area to the SE in Jebal
Hadhifa and to the NE in the N-S axis (Fig. 2). The difference
in sequence deposits between the east and the west zones is
controlled by Triassic salt deposits in the relationship with the
Gafsa fault. As a conclusion, it is a likely interpretation that
salt tectonics affected the east area of the Gafsa fault and not
the western section.
Figure 9B presents the seismic line (Line 2) following a N-
S direction. The increased thickness of north flank of Chemsi
anticline compared with the south flank is characterized by a
presence of E-W normal fault (Fig. 9B). This thickness vari-
ation was confirmed by the outcrop presented in Fig. 7.
Arab J Geosci (2021) 14:1331
Fig. 8 E-W subcrop correlation through the main geological structures
The seismic lines’ interpretations record important tectonic
events that occurred during Mesozoic time predating the main
compressive deformation relative to the Southern Tunisian
Atlas. Furthermore, the association of the seismic data with
field observations allows us to investigate the tectonic devel-
opment and the geodynamic evolution of the study area.
Geodynamic evolution
The notable thickness variation from west to east of the Gafsa
fault corresponds to the pre-Cenozoic shortening basin archi-
tecture acquired during successive Mesozoic Tethyan exten-
sional periods. In our study area, surface and subsurface data
analyses confirm a thickness dissimilarity since Jurassic Age
to Early Senonian Age when the deep Gafsa fault was activat-
ed as a normal fault.
The geological map and outcrop correlation indicate 550 m
of Zebbag Formation in the eastern part of the Gafsa fault. In
the western part, the outcrop correlation indicates 100 m (Figs.
5 and 6). The seismic line interpretation across the Gafsa fault
clearly illustrates the development of diapir structures in the
east part (Fig. 9). Triassic salt activity is probably initiated
during Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous times (Hlaiem 1999a).
The development of this diapir seems to be a subsidence-
Page 9 of 15 1331
inversion parameter starting in Campanian-Maastrichtian
times (Fig. 9). During this period, which is a compressive
phase of NW-SE direction (Gharbi et al. 2015), the general
geometry of the study area is guided by the reactivation of the
Gafsa fault as a reverse fault. The studied field indicates the
start of a subsidence inversion, and the western part displays
deeper zones (Gafsa basin) than the eastern part (Chemsi-
Belkhir structure). The subsurface correlation indicates that
the Abiod deposits are developed with a thickness of up to
350 m in the western part of the Gafsa reverse fault; as for the
eastern part, the thickness ranges up to 100 m, which is clearly
illustrated in Figs. 5 and 8.
The geological map, cross-sections, surface correlation,
subsurface correlation, and seismic lines indicate that the fa-
cies deposits and subsidence inversion are linked to the
Triassic evaporate distribution; moreover, the convergence
system ranges from Upper Senonian to Post-Villafranchian
ages as stated by Zouaghi et al. (2011) and Gharbi et al.
(2015). The subsurface facies distribution proves that in the
eastern part, where subcrop Triassic deposits are observed,
there is a lack of Paleocene and Eocene Formations. The geo-
logical map, presented in Fig. 5, indicates an angular uncon-
formity which subsequently verifies the presence of compres-
sive events. The northern flank of Chemsi structure offers a
1331 Page 10 of 15
Fig. 9 (A) The seismic line from east to west indicates the geological domains, differentiated primarily by tectonic style. (B) Interpreted, calibrated by
well W4, seismic section with north-south through the Belkhir anticline. (C) Location of seismic lines
well-traced ~15 to 40° angular unconformity between the
Campanian-Maastrichtian (Abiod Formation) and Mio-Plio-
Quaternary (Segui Formation) ages (Fig. 4). The Segui
Formation is formed by conglomerate sandstone, showing a
15° north dipping, indicating a syntectonic strata being the
product of the up-lift during the N-S Post-Villafranchian com-
pressive event. In the next section, the impact of the N-S
shortening axis of this compressive phase on the axis folding
virgation across the Gafsa fault will be discussed.
Discussion of regional-scale deformation
The virgation of the fold axis and the mechanism of structural
evolution in the Southern-Central Tunisian Atlas was consid-
ered by some authors such as Boukadi et al. (1986), Boutib
and Zargouni (1998), and Ghanmi et al. (2016). These authors
Arab J Geosci (2021) 14:1331
confirmed that the axis fold virgation of Southern-Central
Tunisian Atlas structures is coupled by complex deformations
occurring during several NW-SE compressional events and
exposed a crucial mechanism of internal deformations as well
as shear zones and thrusting structures.
The evolution of the thrusting folds in the Tunisian
Southern Atlas, which is characterized by variable fold geom-
etries (Bensalem et al. 2018; Masrouhi et al. 2019), is guided
by the convergence system. The NW-SE Atlassic compressive
phase is the result of the closure of the Tethys and collision
between the African and Eurasian continents (Bensalem et al.
2018). The main focus of this study is to determine the genesis
mechanisms of the Jebel Chemsi and the folds’ axis virgation
during the Atlassic and Post-Villafranchian compressive
phases. During this event, the folds are normally generated
following a NE-SW direction (Boukadi et al. 1998; Frizon
De Lamotte et al. 2000; Piqué et al. 2002). During the Late
Arab J Geosci (2021) 14:1331
Fig. 10 (A) N-S section of geodynamic style of the Southern Tunisian Atlas (adapted from Guiraud et al. (2005)). (B) Tunisian stratigraphic chart
Pliocene-Quaternary, the N-S compression direction gener-
ates the E-W folds in the Southern Tunisian Atlas (Frizon de
Lamotte et al. 2000). The fold’s thrust belt evolution allows us
to separate the deformation associated with each phase and to
analyze the actual structure direction during a Quaternary
event (Post-Villafranchian) following a N-S trending com-
pression. The structural style of the Southern Tunisian Atlas
is dominated by E-W trending structures in the western part of
the Gafsa fault. The northern and southern Chotts’ range con-
stitutes the southernmost domain, showing folded structures,
well highlighted by their remarkable and well-preserved E-W
closures (Fig. 2). From west to east, these series of anticlines
of distinguished curved axes are closely associated with the
NE-SW trending systems such as Jebel Aziza, Jebel Zemlet
Elbeidha, and the Chemsi-Belkhir structure (Fig. 2). In the
Southern Tunisian Atlas, several parameters control the evo-
lution of thrust folds during multiple tectonic phases (Gharbi
et al. 2015). Among these phases, the tectonic inheritance
leads to the reactivation of pre-existing E-W and NW-SE
Page 11 of 15 1331
Gafsa normal faults. Thus, reactivation of the abovementioned
faults is the most important parameter for interpreting the evo-
lution mode of thrust folds, mostly in the Chemsi anticline
(Fig. 7). The core of this structure is formed by Upper
Cretaceous sequences, characterized by right stepping folds
related to the strike-slip fault system (Caire 1971; Boukadi
et al. 1998; Piqué et al. 2002). This strike-slip system is con-
firmed by a 70° south reverse dipping, which is illustrated in
Fig. 7. The reactivation of the reverse Gafsa fault, the dipping
variation (asymmetric anticline showing a 40 to 50° south
dipping in the southern flank and a 30° north dipping in the
northern flank), and the Triassic deposits’ movement data
confirm the geometry of the Jebel Chemsi, which is a “fault-
propagation fold” (Figs. 5, 7, and 9). The observation of the
northeastern part of Chemsi anticline in Fig. 5 indicates a
virgation from an E-W axis to a NE-SW axis fold, affected
by the 70° south reverse dipping thrust, located in the junction
between Chemsi and Belkhir structures, well observed in the
Kef el Mghatta region. Therefore, this reverse dipping is the
1331 Page 12 of 15
Fig. 11 The structural model summarizes the tectonic regimes around the salt piercement/Gafsa fault and illustrates the axis virgation fold of the Chemsi
anticline from E-W to NE-SW
result of the strike-slip system. In the eastern part of the
Chemsi anticline, there is a junction of both dextral strike-
slips: the N-S axis and the NW-SE Gafsa fault. This junction
generates a Chemsi fold axis virgation from E-W to NE-SW
during the convergence system (Fig. 10) (Fig. 11).
To conclude, the study area is a junction of two major
compressive phases, each one characterized by a strike-slip
and thrusting system (Fig. 11). During the Atlassic and Post-
Villafranchian compressive phases, the N-S axis and the deep
Gafsa fault are the main factors of the Chemsi anticline’s axis
virgation and the structure surrounding the study area (Zemlet
Elbeidha and Jebel Aziza) (Fig. 2).
Conclusion
Jebel Chemsi is the subject of this study which aims to inves-
tigate the main genesis factor of the Chemsi asymmetric anti-
cline that is the thrusting system. The data applied in this
research lead to conclude that:
Arab J Geosci (2021) 14:1331
– The thrusting system is characterized by the thickness and
dip variation confirmed by the geometry of “fault-propa-
gation fold.”
– The strike-slip zones acted as conduits for Triassic move-
ment and were probably reactivated during the Jurassic,
Cretaceous, Miocene, and Post-Villafranchian phases
(surface fault, strike-slip, and thrusting system).
– The sedimentary distribution is affected by Triassic evap-
orates’ deposits. The difference of tectonic events be-
tween the eastern and western regions around the
Triassic piercement and Gafsa fault zone may be con-
trolled by the absence of evaporite deposits.
– Late and recent structural events affected Miocene and
younger strata (Segui Formation). The dip of the Segui
Formation reflects the compressive Post-Villafranchian
phase.
– The virgation of the Chemsi anticline during the N-S
Post-Villafranchian compressive phase caused by the tec-
tonic evolution, enlightened in the structural geodynamic
model (Fig. 11).
Arab J Geosci (2021) 14:1331
This study opens the gates for investigating the relationship
between the salt piercement and the Eocene phosphate de-
posits of the Gafsa fault.
Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank the “ETAP”
(Tunisian National Oil Company) for granting the permission to publish
the data used in this work. Special thanks to the anonymous journal
reviewers for their constructive comments which definitely improved
the scientific quality as well as the presentation of this paper. The authors
extend their thanks to the editor who greatly helped improving and clar-
ifying the manuscript.
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