Le front de chevauchement au Jebel Bou El Hanèche-Kalâat Khasba (Tunisie centro-septentrionale). Mise en évidence à partir des donnés géologiques et géophysiques

Abstract

In Central-northern Tunisia, the septentrional border of Kalâat Khasba trough was considered as a normal fault which has functioned since the Cretaceous to Quaternary periods. A stratigraphic and geophysical recent study of the Kalâat Khasba trough and the Jebel Bou El Hanèche fold area, allows us to propose a new tectonic model. The Northern border was reactivated as reverse fault during the Eocene and was considered as a thrust front. A compressive Eocene event resulted in formation of Bou El Hanèche fold (fault propagation fold) and in determination of a decollement level situated in the Triassic series. This deformation was controlled by the reactivation of normal faults inherited from a distensive aptien phase. The compressive deformation was amplified by the propagation of this fold and, when a ramp reached the competent carbonates series of late Campanian-lower Maâstrichtien times, the fold was stacked, involving a breakthrough steep limb and creating a second thrust on the North. The order of evolution of these events shows an out of sequence thrust.