Strain Partitioning Controlled by Oblique Ramp in Intracratonic Chains in Tunisia: Example of Gafsa Basin

Soulef Amamria, Mohamed Sadok Bensalem, Eric Mercier, Mohamed Ghanmi, Fouad Zargouni

Department of Sciences and Technique, University of Nantes, Nantes, France.
Faculty of Sciences of Gabes, University of Gabes, Erriadh City, Tunisia.
University of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.

DOI: 10.4236/ijg.2013.42039                

Abstract

The aim of this contribution is the interpretation of intracratonic chains in African plates, but it is important to verify some parameters such us the oblique convergence between Africaand Europa plates. Particularly In southern central of atlassic Tunisian belts, the slickenside examination of directional preexisting faults of N120 direction shows the coexistence of thrusting and strike-slip faults striation. In the limits of these faults principally in some tectonics lens we distinguish abnormal contacts with Triassic facies. The kinematic evolution of Gafsa basin resumed in the geometry of strike-slip faults connected in the thrusting system, this movement resulted from the oblique convergence on Ben Younes, Bou Ramli and Attig chains during compressive phases. This deformation style requires a shortening axis oblique to the NW-SE accidents (N120). The strain partitioning model verify the geometry of faults and equivalent evolution of folds and confirms the Triassic decollement level but without integrated of basement structures in the deformation. It permeated a passive transport of deformation observed in cover structure.

Keywords

Intracratonic Chains; Strain Partitioning; Convergence; Oblique Shortening

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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