Accepted Manuscript

Basin geodynamics and sequence stratigraphy of Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic

deposits of central and southern Tunisia

Cédric Carpentier, Suhail Hadouth, Samir Bouaziz, Bernard Lathuilière, Jean-Loup

Rubino

PII: S1464-343X(16)30045-0
DOI: 10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2016.01.029
Reference: AES 2489

To appear in: Journal of African Earth Sciences

Received Date: 27 May 2015

Revised Date: 10 September 2015
Accepted Date: 29 January 2016

Please cite this article as: Carpentier, C., Hadouth, S., Bouaziz, S., Lathuilière, B., Rubino, J.-L., Basin
geodynamics and sequence stratigraphy of Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic deposits of central and
southern Tunisia, Journal of African Earth Sciences (2016), doi: 10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2016.01.029.

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 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
1 Basin geodynamics and sequence stratigraphy of Upper Triassic

2 to Lower Jurassic deposits of central and southern Tunisia

4 Cédric Carpentier(1); Suhail Hadouth(1); Samir Bouaziz(2); Bernard Lathuilière(1); Jean-Loup

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5 Rubino(3)

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7 (1) Université de Lorraine, CNRS, CREGU, GeoRessources lab., Faculté des Sciences et Technologies, BP 70239, F-

8 54506 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France

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9 (2) Laboratoire Eau-Energie-Environnement (AD-10-02), Ecole Nationale d’Ingénieurs de Sfax, Université de Sfax,

10 BP 1173, 3038 Sfax, Tunisia

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11 (3) Total S.A., CSTJF, avenue Larribau, 64000 Pau, France

12
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13 Corresponding author :

14 Cédric CARPENTIER
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15 Université de Lorraine, CNRS, CREGU, GeoRessources lab., Faculté des Sciences et Technologies, BP 70239,

16 F-54506, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.

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17 E-mail: [email protected]
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18 Tel: +33 (0)3 83 68 47 39

19 Fax: +33 (0)3 83 68 47 01

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20
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21 Abstract

22 Aims of this paper are to propose a geodynamic and sequential framework for the late Triassic and early Jurassic

23 of central and south Tunisia and to evidence the impact of local tectonics on the stratigraphic architecture. Facies

24 of the Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic of Central and Southern Tunisia have been interpreted in terms of

25 depositional environments. A sequential framework and correlation schemes are proposed for outcrops and

26 subsurface transects. Nineteen middle frequency sequences inserted in three and a half low frequency

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27 transgression/regression cycles were evidenced. Despite some datation uncertainties and the unknown durations

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28 of Lower Jurassic cycles, middle frequency sequences appear to be controlled by eustasy. In contrast the

29 tectonics acted as an important control on low frequency cycles. The Carnian flooding was certainly favored by

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30 the last stages of a rifting episode which started during the Permian. The regression accompanied by the

31 formation of stacked angular unconformities and the deposition of lowstand deposits during the late Carnian and

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32 Norian occured during the uplift and tilting of the northern basin margins. The transpressional activity of the

33 Jeffara fault system generated the uplift of the Tebaga of Medenine high from the late Carnian and led to the
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34 Rhaetian regional angular Sidi Stout Unconformity. Facies analysis and well-log correlations permitted to

35 evidence that Rhaetian to Lower Jurassic Messaoudi dolomites correspond to brecciated dolomites present on the
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36 Sidi Stout unconformity in the North Dahar area. The Early-cimmerian compressional event is a possible origin

37 for the global uplift of the northern African margin and Western Europe during the late Carnian and the Norian.
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38 During the Rhaetian and the early Jurassic a new episode of normal faulting occured during the third low
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39 frequency flooding. This tectonosedimentary evolution ranges within the general geodynamic framework of the

40 north Gondwana margin controlled by the opening of both Neotethys and Atlantic oceans.
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41

42 Keywords: late Triassic, early Jurassic, Tunisia, sequence stratigraphy, basin geodynamics
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43
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44 1. Introduction

45 After the late Palaeozoic collision with Laurasia, North Africa recorded the early stages of the opening of the

46 Neotethys during late Paleozoic and Triassic times (Gabtni et al., 2006; Memmi et al., 1986; Stampfli and Borel,

47 2002). In this geodynamic context, an intensive rifting affected the northern African margin during an anti-

48 clockwise movement of Africa (Muttoni et al., 2001). As a consequence of the westward opening of the

49 Neotethys, the age of the transition between the active rifting and the passive margin stages is supposed to be

50 younger in this direction. On seismic profiles, tilted blocs and overlaying passive margin geometries were

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51 documented from Morocco to the Levant margin (Frizon de Lamothe, 2009; Galeazzi et al., 2010; Gardosh et

52 al., 2010). However in some places the timing of this transition is different according to authors. In Tunisia,

53 Stampfli et al. (1991) and Stampfli and Borel (2002) propose a late Permian onset of thermal subsidence with a

54 short rifting in back-arc context during the Triassic on the northern Neotethyan margin. In contrast other authors

55 considered that rifting was active until the middle-late Triassic (Galeazzi et al., 2010, Piqué et al., 1998), early

56 Jurassic times (Golonka, 2007; Kamoun et al., 2001; Raulin et al., 2011; Schettino and Turco, 2011) or

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57 continuous until the early Cretaceous (Frizon de Lamote et al., 2009). Turner et al., (2001) also documented

58 rifting episode during middle-late Triassic times in the Algerian Berkine Basin.

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59

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60 Detailed stratigraphic study is a powerful tool to better constrain the geodynamic history of a region. However,

61 while studies on Triassic deposits have been done in many north African localities such as Southeast Algeria

62 (Bourquin et al., 2010; Turner et al., 2001), Jordan (Makhlouf, 2006), United Arab Emirates (Maurer et al.,

63
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2008), Levant (Korngreen and Benjamini, 2011), no detailed tectonosedimentary and sequence stratigraphy
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64 study of the Upper Triassic and Lower Jurassic deposits was performed in Central Tunisia. In addition,

65 siliciclastic Triassic deposits contain large quantities of hydrocarbons in Algeria and southern Tunisia (Tigi
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66 Field). Middle-Upper Triassic dolomites may constitute targets for hydrocarbon exploration and the

67 understanding of controls on their distribution in time and space is a challenge.

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68
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69 The aim of this paper is to investigate the sequence stratigraphy of mixed carbonates, siliclastic, and evaporites

70 of the Upper Triassic and Lower Jurassic deposits in Central and Southern Tunisia. In addition, major objectives
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71 are to constrain the timing of local deformations, to compare these results with depositional sequences, and to

72 point out possible controls by local or more regional tectonics on sedimentation. To achieve this goal,
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73 sedimentological studies of outcrop and well logs using sequence stratigraphy methods were performed to
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74 propose local or basin scale correlations. Based on the locations of main faults, the geometries will be interpreted

75 in terms of local variations in subsidence, eustasy, and sediment supply. Finally, results will be compared with

76 structural frameworks of neighbouring areas in order to propose a model of geodynamical evolution of the

77 Central and Southern Tunisia.

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79 2. Geological and structural setting

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81 The studied area extends from central Tunisia to the extreme south and east near Algerian and Libyan borders

82 (Fig.1a). Northern Tunisia is affected by the recent alpine compressive tectonics, which generated thrusts and

83 folding of evaporitic Triassic series. In central Tunisia, the normal and strike slip Jeffara fault system borders the

84 Jeffara plain and the offshore Subratah Basin to the north (Fig.1). A minor synthetic fault coincides with the

85 present cuesta profile delimiting the Dahar plateau to the southwest and the Jebel Rehach (J. Rehach) to the

86 south (Fig.1b). The Dahar plateau covers the northern margin of the Paleozoic Talemzane High (Fig.1). In

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87 Southern Tunisia the western continuity of the Libyan Ghadames Basin is characterized by a broadly monoclinal

88 geometry with a gentle southwestward dipping. In Algeria, the Berkine Basin constitutes the western extension

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89 of the Ghadames Basin. The Middle-Upper Triassic-Lower Jurassic rocks are exposed in two geographic and

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90 geological provinces:

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92 - (1) The northern outcrop on the northern margin of the Dahar Plateau extends from the south of the

93
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Jebel Tebaga massif to the Oarjaijin village to the southeast (Fig. 1b). In the North Dahar, the structure
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94 is a monocline. Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic dolomites are gently dipping (1–2°) southwestward

95 (Bouaziz et al., 2002) and overlay Lower and Middle Triassic deposits presenting a dipping of about 2
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96 to 15° to the south.

97 - (2) In the J. Rehach, the Middle Triassic to Lower Jurassic series are outcropping along a 70 km long
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98 cuesta oriented northwest-southeast between the Tataouine city and the southeast of the Kirchaou
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99 village (Fig.1b). Formations are gently dipping to the south-west. Sidi Toui outcrops in the southeast of

100 Tunisia exhibits only Ladinian to Carnian strata (Kamoun et al., 2001) (Fig.1b).
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102 During the Late Triassic, emerged lands bordered the Ghadames Basin to the south and provided siliciclastic
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103 material to the North African margin (Fig.2). Shallow carbonate and evaporite sedimentation occurred in a large
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104 part of the basin that was connected to the north to the western ending of the Neotethys (Sicanian Basin).

105 Westward, during the first stages of the Atlantic rifting, NW-SE faulting formed a corridor between the emerged

106 Iberian Massif and North Africa. Oceanic spreading was active in the Neotethys but did not extend as far as the

107 Sicanian Basin. The Cimmerian orogeny started during the Carnian and subductions zones relieved by strike-slip

108 faults developed on the northern margin of the Neotethys during the closure of the Paleotethys (Golonka, 2007;

109 Sengör, 1984).

110

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111 3. Method

112 Thirty five sedimentological sections have been logged and twenty eight are presented in this paper. Their GPS

113 coordinates are given in Table1. To build sedimentary logs, thicknesses were measured on outcrops using a

114 Jacob staff. Cartography was performed locally to determine the geometry and the stratigraphic position of

115 formations or facies (e.g. Kronab Fm.). Facies interpretations are based on petrography, faunal associations,

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116 sedimentary structures and microfacies (150 thin sections). A sequence stratigraphic interpretation was

117 performed on each section. Since they were not ever easy to evidence in each section, sea level fall

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118 unconformities have not been used as sequence boundaries according to classical models of sequence

119 stratigraphy (Schlager, 2004; Posamentier and Morris, 2000; Posamentier and James, 1993; Vail et al., 1991;

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120 Van Wagoner et al., 1988). In contrast, transgression surfaces sometimes merged with subaerial exposure

121 surfaces and characterized by a sharp deepening of depositional environments, above a shallowing-up trend, are

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122 the most obvious in the studied sections and have then been used to delimit sequences (Embry, 2009). Early
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123 diagenetic features were also investigated in optical microscopy and cathodoluminescence on thin sections.

124 Outcrops and subsurface correlations are based on available biostratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy. The

125
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subsurface analysis was done by the interpretation of electric facies (see below) on well logs and using available

126 petrographic descriptions. A sequence stratigraphy interpretation consistent with the outcrop study was
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127 established for each well according to the vertical stacking of facies.
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128

129 4. Stratigraphy
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130 The Triassic system is separated from Paleozoic deposits by the Hercynian angular unconformity probably of

131 local extension (Raulin, 2013) (Fig.3). In the J. Rehach Lower and Middle Triassic deposits correspond to the
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132 alternation of fluviodeltaic siliciclastics (Bir El Jaja and Ras Hamia formations) and marginal dolomites and
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133 limestones (Kamoun et al., 2001; Mejri et al.; 2006). The Ras Hamia Fm. comprises the siliciclastic and

134 carbonate Ouled Chebbi Member and the fluvial siliciclastic Kirchaou Member separated by marine carbonates

135 and shales of the Myophoria Limestones (Mennig et al. 1963; Burollet, 1963). Those formations were also

136 described in subsurface in South Tunisia where the TAG-I Fm. corresponds to the lateral equivalent of the

137 Kirchaou Fm. (Hamouche, 2006). In the North Dahar, Anisian siliciclastics of the Ouled Chebbi member occur

138 below the Sidi Stout Unconformity. In eastern Algeria, Anisian to Lower Carnian deposits consist of continental

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139 sandstones of the TAG-I (Trias Argilo-Gréseux Inférieur) Fm. dated with vertebrates (Jalil, 1999) and

140 palynomorphs (Bourquin et al., 2010).

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142 In the J. Rehach, the Carnian deposits are characterized from base to top by the Mekraneb dolomites, the Tourag

143 sandstones and the Rehach dolomites. Mekraneb dolomites are attributed with confidence to early Carnian

144 (Kamoun et al., 2001) and conodonts suggest a Cordevolian age (Rakus, 1981; Mock et al., 1987). This first

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145 carbonate unit is considered as the base of the “Trias Argilo Carbonaté (TAC)” in Algeria (Busson, 1972). The

146 Touareg sandstones are attributed to the middle Carnian due to their stratigraphic position between well dated

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147 Carnian dolomites. The second dolomite formation corresponds to the Rehach Fm. and is dated to the middle-

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148 late Carnian on the basis of foraminifera (Kamoun et al. 2001). In the North Dahar, dolomite breccias have also

149 been dated to the Carnian (Kamoun et al., 2001). They grade laterally northward into conglomerates of the

150 Mougor Formation. However, on the basis of facies similarities between Messaoudi Fm. and Rehach Fm. (see

151
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below) Mello and Bouaziz (1987) assign a Rhaetian age to dolomite breccias of the North Dahar. In central
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152 Algeria and in south Tunisia TAG-I sandstones are covered by carbonates and shales of the TAC (Trias Argilo-

153 Carbonaté) Fm. The age of this interval was not directly constrained in south Tunisia while a Carnian age was
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154 proposed for central Algeria by Galeazzi et al. (2010) on the basis of regional correlations and a Carnian to

155 Norian age was envisioned by Bourquin et al. (2010) for the Zarzaitine area.
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157 In the J. Rehach, dolomites of the Rehach Fm. are overlain by the evaporitic red shales of the Mhira Fm. This

158 formation is attributed to late Carnian to Norian by most authors (Visscher and Kystyn, 1978; Kamoun et al.,
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159 2001), on the basis of rich spores and palynomorphs assemblages found in its lower part (Bouaziz et al., 1987).

160 In the North Dahar, from base to top, red shales, polygenic conglomerates and green shales with thin evaporites
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161 and dolomites beds lay above the brecciated dolomites. Ages of these deposits are unknown. In south Tunisia
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162 TAC dolomites are overlaid with the non dated evaporitic Djeneien Fm. and evaporitic red shales of the Emzab

163 Fm. (Ben Ismaïl, 1982). In Algeria sandstones of the TAG-S Fm. (Trias Argilo-Gréseux Supérieur) grade

164 laterally into evaporites of the S4 salt Fm. Bourquin et al. (2010) assigned a Rhaetian age to these deposits on

165 the basis of regional correlations. In central Algeria S4 salts were also described in subsurface and a Norian age

166 was proposed by Galeazzi et al. (2010). In Algeria D2 shales overlaying S4 salts are not directely dated but

167 Bourquin et al. (2010) propose a Hettangian age. In the saliferous Ghadamis/Berkine Basin, Mejri et al. (2006)

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168 described the Mekraneb dolomites, Touareg sandstones, Rehach dolomites as Infra-D2 deposits and overlaying

169 Mhira shales as D2.

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171 In the J. Rehach a major unconformity occurs at the base of the dolomitic and evaporitic deposits of the Rhaetian

172 Messaoudi Fm. (Mello and Bouaziz, 1987). Until now, the Kronab conglomerates were considered as local and

173 deposited above the unconformity (Mello and Bouaziz, 1987; Peybernès et al., 1993). The stratigraphic position

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174 of the conglomerates will be discussed further in the paper. Several oolite rich dolomitic strata corresponds to the

175 Zerzour Fm. (Mello and Bouaziz 1987) which separates the Messaoudi Fm. below from evaporite rich Bhir Fm.

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176 above. Based on the presence of benthic foraminifera associations, the Zerzour Dolomite was assigned to

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177 Rhaetian time (Peybernès et al., 1993; Kamoun et al., 1994, 1997, 2001). The Bhir Formation is azoic and not

178 well dated but may be tentatively attributed to Hettangian-Sinemurian age according to its stratigraphic position.

179 In southern Tunisia the Emzab Fm. is overlained by the non dated halite of the Keskessa Fm. and by dolomites

180
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and anhydrite of the Larich Fm. In Algeria D2 red shales are covered by halite of the S3 salt and anhydrite of the
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181 Bhir Fm. Despite the lack of direct datations Bourquin et al. (2010) propose a Hettangian age for S3 salt.

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183 The oolitic and dolomitic Zmilet Haber Fm. also called B-Horizon in subsurface is capping the Bhir Fm. in the

184 Tataouine area (Ben Ismail, 1982). In Tunisia this formation was assigned to the Pliensbachian (Busson, 1967;
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185 Ben Ismail, 1982; Ben Ferjani, 1990). Peybernès et al., (1985) also proposed a Pliensbachian age on the basis of
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186 one echinid identified as Pseudodiadema cf. prisciniacense.

187
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188 5. Results

189
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190 5.1 Facies Analysis

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191 Upper Triassic and Lower Jurassic deposits of Tunisia consist of the stacking of carbonate, siliciclastic and

192 evaporite facies. Since dolomitization affecting the totality of facies is mainly mimetic, initial facies can be

193 determined. The main facies characteristics are summarized in Table 2.

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195 Carbonate facies

196 - Green Marls (Mgr)

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197 This facies consists of green to yellow marls (Fig.4a). Marls are nodular locally and bioturbations are rare. They

198 contain benthic fauna such as bivalves, echinoids. Rare ammonoids and nautiloids (Nautilus klipsteini),

199 Nothosaurus and conodonts have been described in this facies (De Lapparent, 1954; Gorce, 1960; Rakus, 1981;

200 Rieppel, 1997).

201 Interpretation: Lower offshore marls

202 The occurrence of pelagic organisms and diversified benthic fauna argues for an oxygenated marine

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203 environment. However the fine grain size indicates a calm depositional environment below the storm wave base

204 in a lower offshore environment.

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205

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206 -Nodular peloidal dolomite (Dn)

207 This facies is generally alternating with the Mgr marls. It consists of yellow to beige nodular beds of peloidal

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208 dolomite with an initial packstone texture (Fig.5a). Except few Thalassinoides burrows, the bioturbation is
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209 generally diffuse but intensive. Where primary sedimentary structures have not been erased by bioturbation, the

210 top of beds are characterized by wavy undulations with wavelengths of about 50cm (Fig. 4a). Aggrading
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211 hummocky cross stratifications and thin shell beds (less than 5cm thick) with clasts of brachiopods, oysters,

212 echinoid spines and crinoids articles occur (Fig.4a and b).
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213 Interpretation: Storm influenced upper offshore

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214 The intensive bioturbation indicates a normal oxygenation of the sediment. The nodular aspect of beds is

215 probably due to the intensive bioturbation (Clari and Martire, 1996). Bioclastic beds imply the reworking of

216 benthic fauna by high energy events and their re-sedimentation in a calm offshore environment. Storm events are
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217 considered here as the most probable mechanisms able to produce such shell beds. In addition, the occurrence of

218 storm wave structures such as HCS alternating with offshore marls indicates an environment between the storm
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219 wave base and the fair weather wave base. The euhaline nature of brachiopods and echinoderms also suggest an
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220 open marine life environment.

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222 - Bioclastic peloidal dolomite (Dbp)

223 This facies consists of massive beds of peloidal dolomite with an initial packstone to grainstone texture (Fig.5b).

224 Skeletal clasts such as oysters, echinoid spines and tests, crinoid articles and brachiopods are common.

225 Crenulated coprolites occur locally (Fig.5c). The upper surface of beds is often characterized by wave ripples

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226 with a centrimetric wavelength. Bioturbation can be abundant and represented by Thalassinoides and

227 Rhizocorallium jenense burrows (Fig.4c)

228 Interpretation: Wave influenced shoreface

229 The packstone/grainstone texture and the bioclastic content indicate an agitated depositional environment and

230 the diversified benthic euhaline fauna implies an open marine context. The occurrence of wave ripples and the

231 lack of marl alternations suggest sedimentation above the storm wave base. The local abundance of coprolites

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232 was described in facies located just below the lower intertidal zone in Jurassic limestones of the SE France

233 (Gaillard, 1983). Such an interpretation is consistent with the occurrence of Thalassinoides and Rhizocorallium

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234 jenense burrows (Knaust, 2013).

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235

236 -Oolitic and bioclastic dolomite (Do)

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237 This facies is subdivided in two subfacies. The first subfacies (Dos) is characterized by decimeter thick beds of
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238 well sorted, and dolomitized bioclastic and oolitic grainstones (Fig.5d). Locally, this facies can be enriched in

239 angular quartz grains (fig.5e). Bioclasts consist mainly of bivalve shells and gastropods are common (Fig.5d,

240
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5e). Current ripples, bidirectional trough stratifications and micritic drapes forming flaser bedding occur in this

241 facies (Fig. 4d). Horizontal or low angle stratifications have also been observed. The second subfacies (Dof)
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242 consists mainly of regular centimeter thick alternations of oolitic current ripples and dolomitic mudstones. This

243 alternation forms lenticular or wavy bedding. A cyclicity in the relative amount and thicknesses of oolite beds
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244 with current ripples and mud layers occurs (Fig.4e). This facies can locally alternate with algal mats (Fig.5f).

245 Interpretation: Tide dominated oolitic shoal and flat

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246 In the Ods subfacies, the grainstone texture, the ooid content and the dominance of broken shells indicate a high

247 hydrodynamism. Inversions in the progradation directions of megaripples and mud drapes suggest sedimentation
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248 in a tidally influenced environment. This facies is interpreted as an oolitic shoal in the intertidal zone. The
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249 megaripples probably formed in shallow tidal channels cutting across the barrier while horizontal and low angle

250 stratifications formed in beach environments on the top of the shoal. In the Odf subfacies, the cyclicity in

251 thickness of calcarenite and mud beds is interpreted as neap and spring tide cycles (Fig. 4e). The small current

252 ripples suggest a weak hydrodynamism compared to the Ods subfacies. Stromatolites indicates calmer

253 hydrodynamic conditions such an intertidal backshoal area on a mud flat. The local enrichment in quartz grains

254 in both subfacies indicates local inputs of terrigenous material from the hinterland in the vicinity of a stream

255 mouth.

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256

257 Homogeneous dolomite (Dh)

258 This facies is not widely represented. It consists of decimetric to metric beds of dolospar with an idiotopic

259 texture (Fig.5g). Bioturbation is diffuse. When present, benthic fauna is poorly diversified and only represented

260 by molds of dissolved shells of bivalves. Molds are often filled by fibrous dickite identified with infra-red

261 microscopy (Fig.5g). Alignments of centimetric vugs are sometimes present (Fig. 4f). Vugs have a spherical or

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262 slightly irregular shape. They are also filled by fibrous dickite (Fig.5h) or contain pendant and laminated fibrous

263 calcite cements on their upper edge (Fig.5i). The massive beds can alternate with nodular bioturbated dolomitic

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264 beds poor in fauna. Thrombolitic structures have also been observed sporadically in this facies.

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265 Interpretation: Shallow evaporitic lagoon

266 The poorly diversified and exclusively benthic fauna and the occurrence of thrombolitic structures indicate an

267 environmental stress such as low oxygen renewal or/and hypersaline conditions. However the occurrence of

268
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bioturbation indicates that the seafloor was oxygenated. The scarcity in allochems suggests that the initial
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269 sediment was a mudstone. This texture and the lack of current structures imply a calm depositional environment.

270 As a consequence, this facies is interpreted as an initially muddy restricted subtidal lagoonal environment. The
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271 aligned vugs are similar to those described in shallow subtidal and intertidal environments of the Middle Triassic

272 of the German Basin and of the Catalan Coastal Range (Mercedes-Martin et al. 2013, Koehrer et al. 2010). They
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273 are interpreted as the result of leaching of evaporite nodules formed in the sediment in a hypersaline lagoon.
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274 Such an interpretation is consistent with the occurrence of vugs only in muddy facies (Dh and Ds). The dickite in

275 vugs is due to the transformation of initial kaolinite during burial at temperatures above 80°C (Ehrenberg et al.,
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276 1993; Morad et al., 1994). This means that the dissolution of evaporites and the infill by kaolinite occurred

277 before burial probably during periods of subaerial exposure. Since they are posterior to dickite, pendant cements
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278 indicate a late cementation in the vadose zone during telogenesis and recent exposure.
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279

280 Stromatolitic dolomite (Ds)

281 This facies consists of algal mats alternating with peloidal packstones forming agglutinated stromatolites (sensu

282 Ridding, 1991). The facies is dolomitized and a fenestral structure characterizes the sediment between algal mats

283 (Fig.5j). The inter-crystalline and vuggy porosity is extensive. The upper surface of beds can be hardgrounds

284 heavily perforated by Gastrochaenolites borings (Fig. 4g). Dissolution vugs similar to those observed in the

285 facies Dh also occur in this facies (Fig. 4h). Desiccation cracks and polygons are locally present (Fig.4i).

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286 Interpretation: Intertidal to lower supratidal inner ramp

287 The dominance of agglutinated stromatolites is typical of intertidal to lower supratidal environments (Ridding,

288 2000; Alsharhan and Kendall, 2003). The occurrence of desiccation features and fenestral structures is consistent

289 with this interpretation and indicates periods of subaerial exposure in the upper intertidal to lower supratidal

290 zone (James, 1984). Hardgrounds indicate lithification of algal mats in an often immerged environment. Such

291 hardgrounds have been described in the lower intertidal zone in the Holocene of Abu Dhabi (Kendall et al.,

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292 1994). These intertidal to low supratidal sediments were impacted by in situ evaporite precipitation in a

293 hypersaline environment as attested by the occurrence of evaporite dissolution vugs.

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294

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295 Dolomitic breccias (Db)

296 This facies consists of dolomitic and often stromatolitic angular clasts in a dolomitic and sandy matrix (Fig.4j).

297 The facies is clast supported and in some places breccias pass laterally to continuous dolomitic and stromatolitic

298
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beds (Fig.4k). Remains of nodular chicken wire, enterolitic or fibrous gypsum can be intercalated within
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299 breccias. In thin sections, cores of dolomite rhombs are frequently dissolved (Fig.5k).

300 Interpretation: Collapse breccias

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301 The lateral continuity between algal mats and breccias indicates that these latter correspond to the breakup of

302 stromatolites. No clue of tepee structure such as pisolitic and vadose cementation or anticlinal geometry
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303 (Assereto and Kendall, 1977) has been observed. In contrast the presence of evaporite remains or dissolution
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304 vugs argues for collapse process. Chicken wire and enterolitic evaporites suggest an in situ precipitation in a

305 supratidal sebkha environment under an arid climate. Their dissolution implies prolongated periods of subaerial
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306 exposure and leaching by freshwaters (James, 1984). Impact of freshwater is also suggested by dedolomitization

307 features such as dissolution of cores of dolomite rhombs.

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308
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309 Graded oolitic dolomites (Dg)

310 The facies is characterized by centimetric to decimetric oolitic and bioclastic beds with a grainstone to packstone

311 texture. The facies is fine grained and well sorted. The contact between oolites and underlying sediments is sharp

312 and erosive (Fig.6a). Above these surfaces, deposits are fining upward and contain planar oblique or less

313 frequently horizontal bedding. This facies is intercalated in shallow evaporitic lagoonal facies Ev (see below).

314 Interpretation: Washover deposits

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315 The sharp and erosive bases and the upward fining indicate sudden increases in hydrodynamism and a gradual

316 return to calm conditions. This oolitic and bioclastic facies intercalated in shallow evaporitic lagoonal facies

317 suggests that material was transported landward from a shoal environment. Oblique angular laminations indicate

318 a gradual lateral accretion by avalanching in a calm environment while horizontal laminations suggest a laminar

319 upper flow regime. These features are typical of storm washover deposits (Sedgwick and Davis Jr, 2003; Roep et

320 al., 1998).

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321

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322 Evaporitic facies

323 Evaporites, shales and stromatolites alternations (Ev)

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324 This facies can be subdivided in two subfacies. The first (Evs) consists of an alternation of evaporites and

325 dolomitic algal mats (Fig.6b). Evaporites are constituted by chicken wire nodules or enterolitic beds of anhydrite

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326 alternating with selenite gypsum. Chicken wire texture appears in replacement of gypsum prisms. Washover (Dg
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327 facies) and dolomitic breccias (Db) alternate with this subfacies. The second subfacies (Evm) consists of yellow

328 and green silty shales poor in fauna and with thin centimetric layers of fibrous gypsum. Bioturbated dolomitic

329
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beds with rare algal mats occur sporadically in marls.

330 Interpretation: Hypersaline lagoon

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331 In the Evs subfacies, thin laterally continuous and vertically aligned gypsum prisms (selenite) are typical of

332 subtidal environments in a restricted hypsersaline lagoon (Warren and Kendall, 1985). Such an interpretation is
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333 supported by intercalations of washover deposits. The replacement of gypsum by nodular anhydrite is certainly

334 due to dehydration during burial. Stromatolitic intervals indicate temporary transition toward marginal intertidal
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335 environments (Peryt, 2001). The Evm subfacies indicates a similar depositional environment with higher

336 siliciclastic inputs. Intercalations of bioturbated dolomites point to episodes of oxygenation on the sea-floor due
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337 to a more significant renewal of seawater. Such conditions were most probably possible during moderate
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338 flooding events.

339

340 Evaporitic red shales (Fre)

341 This facies is characterized by red to green shales. Shales contain laterally continuous layers of clean fibrous

342 gypsum or lenticular crystals of gypsum enriched in sand inclusions and forming desert roses (Fig.6c). Meter

343 thick layers of chicken wire nodules of gypsum are also intercalated in shales. Locally, petrified rootlets occur in

344 layers of lenticular gypsum (Fig.6d)

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345 Interpretation: Continental sabkha and playa lake.

346 The red color of shales enriched in iron oxides and the occurrence of petrified rootlets suggest that this facies

347 deposited in a continental environment (Benison and Goldstein, 2000; Gibert et al., 2007). Lenticular gypsum

348 crystals rich in sand inclusions and chicken wire nodules are typical of evaporitic flat of sabkha type (Warren,

349 2006). Layers of clean fibrous gypsum indicate precipitation in the water column probably when ephemeral salt

350 lake developed (Warren, 2010; Salvany et al., 1994). Consequently, the Frs facies recorded variations of the base

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351 level in a continental playa lake with alternation of soil development and peripheral sabkha facies with fibrous

352 gypsum deposited during moderate floodings.

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353

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354 Siliciclastic facies

355 Massive conglomerates (Gm)

356

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This facies is characterized by massive and unsorted polygenic conglomerates. Clasts consist of dolomites,
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357 sandstones, and basement pebbles to cobbles (Fig.6e). The conglomerate is mainly clast supported with some

358 matrix supported intercalations. Obvious stratification and bedding are lacking. Clasts are angular to subrounded
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359 and their sizes vary between 2 cm to 35 cm.

360 Interpretation: Alluvial fan.

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361 The polygenic composition indicates an allochtonous origin of clasts and a sedimentation after transport. The
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362 reduced sizes of outcrops allow not to determine the geometry of deposits at a large scale. However, the absence

363 of tractive current structures is not consistent with deposition in a perennial stream. In contrast the heterometric
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364 nature of clasts and the presence of matrix supported beds rather indicate that cohesive debris flows was the

365 main sedimentation process. The dominance of this transport and sedimentation mechanism suggests deposition
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366 on a slope and/or on the vicinity of a relief at the surface of an alluvial fan (Baltzer and Purser, 1990; Harvey et

367 al., 2005; Miall, 2006).

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368

369 Red silty shales (Fl)

370 This facies consists of ten of centimeter to several meters thick layers of red to brown and locally green shales

371 (Fig. 6f). They are silty and devoid of marine fauna. Fine grained sandstones with climbing ripples are locally

372 intercalated within shales (Fig.6g)

373 Interpretation: Floodplain

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374 The lack of marine fauna, the red color and the fine granulometry of shales indicate a sedimentation by

375 decantation in a calm continental environment under oxidizing conditions. Such conditions are common in

376 floodplains. Sandstone beds with climbing ripples are interpreted as overbank facies deposited in the floodplain

377 during waning of flood events (Farrel, 2001; Miall, 2006).

378

379 Graded sandstones (Sg)

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380 Sg facies is characterized by metric sequences of graded sandstone. A basal erosive surface is covered by coarse

381 grained sandstones or conglomerate with a crude oblique stratifications (Fig. 6h). Vertically they pass to medium

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382 sands with trough cross-bedding (Fig.6h). Sequences are stacked and locally erosional surfaces truncate the top

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383 of cross-bedded sandstones (Fig. 6h). Sandstones and conglomerates sequences are erosional on top of red silty

384 shales (Fsr facies) (Fig.6f).

385 Interpretation: Braided alluvial stream.

386
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Trough cross-bedding in conglomerates and sandstones indicate perennial tractive currents in a lower flow
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387 regime (Miall, 2006). Basal erosional surfaces overlain by graded sequences with conglomerate and sandstones

388 are interpreted as fluvial channel-fills. The stacking of graded and cross stratified fillings separated by erosional
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389 surfaces is typical of a scour and fill dynamics (Miall, 2006) and is interpreted as braided stream deposits.
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390
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391 Cross stratified sandstones (Std)

392 This facies is made of medium to coarse and moderately sorted sandstones. Sandstones contain both large

393 troughs and 20 to 50 cm thick sigmoidal oblique cross-bedding (Fig.5i). The toes of foresets can be rippled and
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394 contain thin centimetric clay drapes (Fig.5j). Bioturbation is rare and consists of Skolithos burrows. On the basis

395 of progradation directions of foresets, scarce paleo-flow reversals have been observed and measured.
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396 Interpretation: Fluvial tidally influenced

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397 Trough and sigmoidal cross-bedding indicate deposition under tractive lower flow regime. However clay drapes

398 and small ripples on the toes of foresets imply regular decrease of flow velocities with settling events. These

399 features and the clues of paleo-flow reversals suggest a tidal influence with muddy slack deposits alternating

400 with coarse facies carried by dominant and opposite subordinate currents (Weimer et al., 1982). However, the

401 scarcity of subordinate current structures, the scarcity of clay deposits and the reduced abundance and diversity

402 of bioturbation, represented only by Skolithos burrows, argues for a fluvial tidally influenced environment with

403 brackish waters (Dalrymple and Choi, 2007; Fischbein et al., 2009, Martinius et al., 2012).

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404

405 Dolosandstone with megaplygons (Sdm)

406 This facies consists of silty and/or sandy dolomitized mudstone with algal mats. The tops of beds show

407 desiccation cracks with one bed rich in Gyrophyllites burrows. In addition, meter to several meter large polygons

408 with concave upward shapes and separated by vertical cracks exist locally (Fig.4l). Fractures connected to

409 vertical ones between polygons spread horizontally between algal mats. They are filled with mammilary

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410 radiaxial calcite (sensu Assereto and Kendall, 1977) and a last stage of micro-stalactitic cement (Fig.5l).

411 Dolosandstones alternate with decimetre to meter thick intervals of green marine shales.

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412 Interpretation: Supratidal tepees

413 Large concave up polygons associated with horizontal fractures filled with mammilary radiaxial and micro-

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414 stalactitic calcite cements are features described in tepee structures (Assereto and Kendall, 1977). Pendant

415 cements imply precipitation in a vadose environment and tepee structures are typical of prolongated exposure in

416

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the lower supratidal zone (Warren and Kendall, 1985). Beds with desiccation cracks suggest less prolongated
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417 exposures. The occurrence of green marls and Gyrophyllites burrows indicates period of shallow subtidal

418 sedimentation (Pandey et al., 2014; Pemberton et al., 2001) during small flooding between exposure events.
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419

420 5.2 Outcrop correlations

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421 Outcrop strips are discontinuous between North Dahar and J. Rehach areas (Fig.1). Consequently correlation
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422 transects in both areas will be described separately.

423 5.2.a Transect 1: J. Rehach

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424 Carnian Sequence 1 (RM1)

425 In the southern part of the transect (Kef Touareg and Kef El Galalah) the lower part of the Mekraneb formation
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426 is marked by the appearance of offshore marls directly above the fluvial sandstones and red shales of the
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427 Kirchaou Fm. (Fig.7). Marls are overlain by thickening upward beds of upper offshore bioclastic, peloidal and

428 bioturbated dolomites. Northward, the lower part of the Mekraneb Fm. consists mainly of bioclastic and peloidal

429 dolomites of upper offshore and shoreface environnement. The first facies above the Kirchaou Fm. generally

430 contains a high amount of quartz grains. The upper part of the Mekraneb Fm. shows a gradual disappearance of

431 dolomite beds in favor of green offshore marls (Fig.7). This marly upper part is locally truncated or entirely

432 eroded by the basal erosive surface of the overlaying Touareg Fm consisting of fluvial sandstones in its lower

433 part. The basal erosive surface of the Touareg Fm. is locally covered by a lag of reworked and ferruginized

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434 dolomite clasts (Fig.8b). This formation consists of alternations of braided fluvial sandstones (Sg) and red shales

435 (Fl), in the lower and upper parts, surrounding tidally influenced fluvial sandstones (Std) in the middle part of

436 the formation. The thicknesses of fluvial and tidally influenced facies are highly variable between sections (Fig.

437 7) and basal fluvial facies are absent in the northern part of the transect (Galib Lamsen SE 2 section, Fig.7).

438

439 Interpretation: The rapid transition from fluvial sandstones and red shales of the Kirchaou Fm. to marine

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440 dolomites and marls of the Mekraneb Fm. characterizes the first Carnian flooding. In the south of the stransect,

441 the maximum flooding interval is located in the lower part of the formation where offshore marls are the

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442 dominant or unique facies. The northward lateral transition from offshore marls to upper offshore to shoreface

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443 dolomites in the Rejijilah area suggests a shallowing of depositional environments in this direction. The erosive

444 basal surface of the Touareg Fm. and the local reworking of the upper part of the Mekraneb formation indicate a

445 fall in the base level that generated an incision and a seaward shift of facies with deposition of fluvial facies

446
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during a lowstand. The sharp irregular basal surface of tidally influenced sandstones of the Touareg Fm. is
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447 interpreted as a tidal ravinement surface (sensu Zaitlin et al., 1994) at the base of the high frequency RS3

448 sequence. The alternation of estuarian and fluvial facies corresponds to high frequency sequences during a
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449 middle frequency lowstand period at the end of the middle frequency RM1 sequence.

450
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451 Carnian sequences 2 and 3 (RM2 and RM3)

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452 The vertical transition from the Touareg Fm. to the Rehach Fm. is sharp. In this latter formation, deposits consist

453 of shallow subtidal to intertidal dolomitic deposits organized in two to eight meter thick shallowing upward
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454 parasequences (Fig.8a). Above few meter thick beds of shoreface peloidal dolomites enriched in quartz grains,

455 alternation of offshore marls (Mgr facies), subtidal lagoonal (Dh) and intertidal dolomites (Ds) constitute the
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456 predominant facies (Fig.7). As a whole, the oolitic facies are rare and the proximal facies are more abundant
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457 toward the northwest. The total thickness of the Rehach Fm. and thicknesses of parasequences increase

458 southeastward (Fig.7). In the upper part of the Rehach quarry section, offshore green marls and are sharply

459 overlain by a ten centimeters thick bed of nodular chalky carbonates with rhizoliths filled by red silts and fine

460 grained sandstones (Fig.8d). A similar interval of mottled clays and root traces exists in the Kef El Galalah

461 section but is located directly above marine lagoonal deposits.

462

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463 Interpretation: In order to identify middle frequency sequences, a stacking pattern study has been performed on

464 the Kef El Galala section constituting the most complete and vertically continuous section (Fig.9). Seven high

465 frequency and two middle frequency sequences have been evidenced in the southern part of the transect (Fig.7).

466 The sharp transition between the fluvial facies of the Touareg Fm. and the marine Rehach Fm. indicates a marine

467 flooding through a basal erosional transgression surface. In high frequency sequences, maximum flooding

468 intervals consist of green offshore marls (Mgr facies) while lagoonal dolomites and intertidal stromatolitic

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469 deposits are predominant during highstands (Dh and Ds facies) (Fig.7 and 9). The maximum flooding interval of

470 the middle frequency RM2 sequence is reached in the lower part of the Rehach Fm. where the lower offshore

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471 facies is dominant (Fig.9). The highstand is characterized by the gradual increase in shoreface and shallow

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472 lagoonal dolomites with vugs of evaporite dissolution. A third middle frequency sequence named RM3 was

473 evidenced in the upper part of the Rehach Fm. (Fig.9). The transgressive interval consists of a gradual deepening

474 of depositional environments leading to a 8 metres thick unit of offshore green shales. Highstand deposits are

475
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characterized by the transition to shoreface and lagoonal dolomites. The mottled clays with carbonate nodules
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476 and rootlets are interpreted as alluvial deposits with calcisols. The sharp transition from offshore green marls to

477 the thick paleosoil corresponds to a rapid basinward shift of facies. Northwestward, the paleosoil occurs directly
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478 above marine dolomites and the high frequency sequence RS10 is absent. This implies that the paleosoil

479 coincides with an angular unconformity truncating progressively the upper part of the Rehach formation toward
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480 the northwest (Fig.7). The rare occurrence of oolitic facies indicates that shoals were not widely developed and
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481 formed only little topographic highs on the sea floor. The gradual thickening of the Rehach Fm. toward the

482 southeast and the increase in distality of facies in this direction indicate that the northwest-southeast polarity of
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483 the depositional system already deduced for the Mekraneb Fm. was valid during all the Carnian.

484
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485 Carnian sequence 4 (RM4)

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486 Above the paleosoil and up to the top of the Rehach Fm., facies consist mainly of intertidal stromatolitic or

487 shallow lagoonal facies organized in parasequences (Fig.8c). Upper surfaces of parasequences are generally red

488 coloured and underlying stromatolitic facies present millimetric rootlets traces observed in thin sections. Locally,

489 10 to 20 cm thick intervals of mottled clays with root traces cap the top of parasequences. No clear vertical

490 evolution of depositional environments in the stacking pattern of parasequences was observed. However oolitic

491 and bioclastic facies are predominant toward the top. This formation is directly overlain by the Kronab

492 conglomerates through a sharp erosional surface (Fig.10). Until now, the Kronab Fm. was placed in a

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493 stratigraphic position between the Mhira Fm. below and the Messaoudi Fm. above (Kamoun et al., 2001; Mejri

494 et al., 2006; Mello and Bouaziz, 1987). This interpretation was mainly based on observations in the Achaab El

495 Messaoudi area where Kronab conglomerates pinch out northwestward below dolomitic facies of the Messaoudi

496 Fm. However, a cartography work between Achaab Messaoudi and the southeast of the Beni Ahmed village

497 allowed to evidence that the Kronab Fm. is located below the Mihra Fm. which is present in the neighboring

498 Beni Ahmed well. Conglomerates are in direct contact above the Rehach dolomites (GPS point Beni Ahmed II in

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499 Table 2) (Fig. 10). The facies consisting of a highly cemented polygenic clast supported conglomerate in a red

500 sandy matrix is clearly different from conglomeratic carbonate crusts corresponding to recent alluvial terraces

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501 described in this area (Bouaziz et al., 1987). The Kronab Fm. consists of fluvial deposits (Sg facies) made of

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502 massive conglomerates in its lower part and sandstones and red shales in its upper part. Workable outcrops of the

503 Kronab Fm. have been observed only in the Achaab El Messaoudi and Beni Ahmed area. Consequently, the

504 southwestward extension of the formation is still unknown.

505
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506 Interpretation: The upper part of the Rehach consisting of parasequences deposited in a shallow lagoonal to

507 supratidal environment with common subaerial exposures, as suggested by abundance of root traces and at the
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508 top of parasequences, indicates a moderate flooding after the subaerial exposure characterized by the paleosoil at

509 the top of the RM3 sequence (Fig.7). Because of the lack of obvious evolution of facies, high and middle
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510 frequency sequences are difficult to evidence. However the maximum flooding surface of the RM4 sequence
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511 may be placed in oolitic facies in the Achaab El Messaoudi and Rehach quarry sections. Since the contact is

512 sharp between the shallow marine dolomites of the Rehach Fm. and the braided fluvial conglomerates of the
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513 Kronab Fm. and since this transition indicate a rapid basinward shift of facies at the top of the RM3 sequence

514 without intermediate marginal facies, the basal surface of the Kronab Fm. is interpreted as a relative sea-level
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515 fall unconformity rather than only an increase in sediment supply. The predominance of sandy channels in
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516 floodplain red shales in the upper part of the formation above massive conglomerates attests to a gradual

517 backstepping. Consequently we consider that only the massive conglomeratic fluvial facies of the lower part of

518 the Kronab Fm. constitute the lowstand deposits.

519

520 - Late Carnian to Norian sequences 5 and 6 (RM5 and RM6)

521 The Mhira Fm. can be observed only in sporadic outcrops. Consequently no complete and vertically continuous

522 section has been logged. In the Achaab El Messaoudi section, the lower 6 meters of the Mhira Fm. are

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523 characterized by alternations of shallow lagoonal shales and dolosandstones with mudcracks and Gyrophyllites

524 burrows (Sdm facies). This interval is topped by large tepee structures (Fig.10). The upper part of the Mhira Fm.

525 is observable in the Sebkhet Leguine area and near the Beni Mhira village. It is made up of alternations of red

526 shales with fibrous gypsum layers and a several meters thick interval of lenticular gypsum with petrified rootlets

527 deposited in an evaporitic flat (Fre facies). The formation thickens southwestward and pinches out below the

528 Messaoudi Fm. northwestward in the Achaab El Messaoudi area (Mello and Bouaziz, 1987) (Fig. 10).

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529

530 Interpretation: The stacking of shallow intertidal and supratidal facies in the lower part of the Mhira Fm. above

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531 floodplain and fluvial sandy channel of the top of the Kronab Fm. characterizes a moderate flooding during the

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532 RM5 sequence. The maximum flooding interval is located in facies dominated by green shales of shallow

533 subtidal lagoonal environment (Fig. 10). Above, the transition to intertidal and supratidal facies with tepee

534 structures indicates a progradation during a highstand. The tepee structures mark a prolongated subaerial

535
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exposure merged with a transgression surface constituting the boundary between RM5 and RM6 sequences. The
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536 thick interval of lenticular gypsum with petrified rootlets observed in the Sebkhet Leguine area indicates a period

537 of intensive evaporation during a drying of the playa during a regressive event. However, the sporadic
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538 distribution of outcrops allowed not determining a complete sequential framework in the upper part of the Mhira

539 Fm. Middle frequency sequences will be discussed below by mean of the well-log study.
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540
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541 - Rhaetian and Lower Jurassic evaporites

542 As for the Mhira Fm., the reconstitution of the vertical evolution of facies in Rhaetian deposits (Messaoudi, Bhir,
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543 and Zerzour Fm.) is not possible due to the scarcity of outcrops. Dolomites of the Messaoudi Fm. consist of

544 oolitic tidal flat deposits (Dof) alternating with dolomite collapse breccias (Db). The basal contact with
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545 underlaying formations is sharp. The Messaoudi Fm. overlays Norian Mhira shales in the Achaab El Messaoudi
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546 and Beni Ahmed area while northwestward it covers directly Rehach dolomites in the Rejijilah area or Kirchaou

547 sandstones in the Guelib Lemsane area (Fig.7). In the Beni Ahmed section, the Messaoudi Fm. is represented by

548 five meters of evaporites, stromatolites and collapse breccias (Db and Ev facies). The first tidal oolitic facies

549 appear above this first evaporitic interval (Fig.7). The Zerzour Fm. has been observed only in the Galib El

550 Zarzour section. The observed facies are characterized by a 3 meters thick interval of oolitic washover deposits

551 (Dg facies) intercalated in salina facies (Ev facies) of the Bhir Fm.

552

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553 Interpretation: The progressive disappearance of Norian and Carnian formations toward the northwest below the

554 Rhaetian Messaoudi Fm. corresponds to a well documented regional angular unconformity (Mello and Bouaziz,

555 1987). As a consequence, the boundary between the Messaoudi Fm. and underlying deposits corresponds to a

556 major subaerial exposure, truncation and transgression surface of the subsequent re-flooding of the basin. The

557 scarcity of outcrops and the lack of continuous sections in Rhaetian deposits makes difficult a detailed sequential

558 interpretation and stratigraphic correlations. From outcrops only the identification of low frequency sequences

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559 can be envisioned. In the Messaoudi Fm., the distribution of facies (predominance of Dof and Db facies between

560 Achaab El Messaoudi and Guelib Lemsane, Ev facies predominant toward the southwest) suggests a more

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561 proximal and shallower area in the northwest and a quite deeper restricted subtidal lagoon in the southeast. The

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562 washover deposits of the Zerzour Fm. intercalated between evaporitic facies of the Bhir Fm.is interpreted as a

563 slight opening of the depositional environment and a maximum flooding interval during a rise of base level. As

564 for the Mhira Fm. middle frequency sequences will be discussed below using subsurface data.

565
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566 - Transect 2: North Dahar

567 Seven sections have been logged along the outcrop strip between Mougor in the northwest and Ouarjajin in the
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568 southeast (Fig.11). Upper Triassic deposits rest unconformably on Permian and Lower Triassic formations

569 (Fig.12). This angular unconformity was named Sidi Stout Unconformity by Mello and Bouaziz (1987).
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570
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571 Dahar sequence 1 (DS1)

572 As a whole, the thickness of deposits increases from the Mougor in the northwest to the Kef El Amba area in the
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573 southeast (Fig.11). First marine deposits correspond to sandy dolomites of shallow lagoonal environment (Dh

574 facies) alternating with intertidal stromatolites (Ds facies). Locally (Sidi Stout area) a basal lag of sandstone
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575 pebbles reworked from underlying middle Triassic deposits occurs. Vertically, facies changes to quartz free
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576 bioturbated subtidal deposits (Dh facies) in most of sections. In the northern Mougor area deposits correspond to

577 alluvial fan conglomerates with two, decimeters thick, intercalations of lagoonal dolomites or dolomite breccias

578 (Fig.13a). Above, in the northern part of the transect (Ouadi Hallouf and Sidi Stout sections) dolomites are

579 enriched in sandstone layers. Those dolomites are covered by stromatolitic facies (Dh facies) in the Ouadi

580 Hallouf section and by quartz rich cross stratified oolitic grainstones (Dos facies), brecciated dolomites or sand

581 rich facies in the Sidi Stout area (Fig.11). Red continental shales or micro-breccias cap the marine facies in most

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582 of the sections. In the Ouarjajin area, subtidal and stromatolitic dolomites are covered by a three meter thick

583 interval of collapse breccias (Db facies).

584

585 Interpretation: The pebble lag at the base of dolomitic deposits corresponds to a transgressive lag above a major

586 sequence boundary corresponding to the Sidi Stout unconformity. The vertical decrease in the quartz content and

587 the appearance of subtidal dolomites illustrate the continuation of the flooding. A maximum flooding was

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588 reached during the deposition of oolitic facies. The occurrence of alluvial fan deposits and the reduced thickness

589 of deposits in the Mougor area suggest a more proximal and less subsiding area. The thin dolomitic

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590 intercalations in conglomerates characterize the maximum flooding interval (sensu Pittet and Strasser; 1998).

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591 The regressive part of the sequence is marked by the vertical increase in siliciclastic inputs, the appearance of

592 stromatolitic facies and continental shales at the top. In the Ouarjajin area the thick interval of brecciated

593 dolomites at the top of the sequence points out a prolongated episode of subaerial exposure not recorded in other

594 sections.
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595

596 Dahar sequence 2 (DS2)

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597 Between Sidi Stout and Kef El Amba, alluvial facies of the top of the DS1 sequence are covered by marine
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598 dolomites organized in meter thick parasequences. Facies correspond to shallow lagoon (Dh), intertidal

599 stromatolitic (Ds), oolitic bioclastic and sandy shoal (Dos) and subtidal peloidal dolomites (Dbp). The upper part
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600 of dolomitic facies is represented by collapse breccias in most of the sections. They are sharply covered by

601 fluvial sandstones and alluvial red shales (Sg and Fl facies). Northward, in the Ouadi Hallouf area, facies consist
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602 of matrix supported conglomerates alternating with dolomite breccias (Gm and Db facies) while in the Mougor

603 section only alluvial fan conglomerates have been oberved. In the Ouarjajin section the facies is exclusively
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604 constituted by an alternation of intertidal stromatolitic dolomites and collapse breccias.

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605

606 Interpretation: The reappearance of marine dolomitic facies above continental facies indicates a flooding at the

607 base of the DS2 sequence. The maximum flooding interval corresponds to shallow subtidal facies grading

608 laterally northward to sandy oolitic and bioclastic shoal in the more proximal Sidi Stout area. In the Mougor

609 section the maximum flooding interval is characterized by a thirteen centimeter thick intercalation of dolomite

610 between alluvial fan conglomerates. A sharp transition to fluvial facies marks the top of the sequence. Below this

611 surface, the thick interval of collapse breccias suggests a prolongated episode of subaerial exposure prior to

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612 fluvial sedimentation. Variations in the thicknesses of fluvial facies and dolomitic deposits preserved below the

613 basal surface of fluvial deposits argue for an incised valley geometry generated by a base-level fall (Fig. 11). In

614 the Ouarjaijin area, the predominance of collapse breccias attests of importants events of freshwater infiltrations

615 during prolongated subaerial exposures. Here, stromatolitic beds between brecciated facies constitute the

616 maximum flooding interval. The regional geometry characterised by a gradual thickening and deepening of

617 deposits from the Mougor section to Kef El Amba and the occurrence of a southern shallower and less subsiding

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618 zone in the Ouarjaijin area suggests the occurrence a normal synsedimentary fault between Ouarjajin and Kef El

619 Amba (Fig.11).

RI
620

SC
621 Dahar sequence 3 (DS3)

622 Between Kef El Amba and Sidi Stout, alluvial and fluvial deposits overlay brecciated dolomites of the top of the

623 DS2 sequence. The thickness of fluvial deposits is variable between sections with a broadly southward

624
U
thickening. However, in the Ouarjajin section, fluvial facies are absent and only a ferruginous crust covering
AN
625 dolomite breccias with a ferruginous matrix occurs (Fig.13b). In the Kef El Amba 1 and 2 sections, the lower

626 part of continental deposits corresponds to red shales of alluvial plain environment (Fl facies). A five centimeters
M

627 thick bed of pink oolitic dolomite appears at the top of this interval in the Kef El Amba 1 section. This bed is

628 partly eroded by sandy channels and dolomitic pebbles constitute the basal conglomeratic lag of sandstones in
D

629 the Kef El Amba 1 section (Fig.11). The top of fluvial deposits consists of the amalgamation of several sandy
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630 fluvial channels.

631
EP

632 Interpretation: The vertical transition from alluvial plain shales to oolitic dolomite indicates a backstepping of

633 marginal marine environments. A maximum flooding is reached in the dolomitic bed which characterizes the
C

634 only marine incursion between alluvial and fluvial deposits. This bed appears only in the Kef El Amba section
AC

635 because of its local erosion by sandy fluvial channels. The reappearance of fluvial deposits characterized by

636 amalgamated channels in the upper part constitutes the highstand of the DS3 sequence. The absence of the DS3

637 sequence, the intensive brecciation with only intertidal stromatolitic dolomites, the absence of subtidal deposits,

638 and the lower thickness of the DS2 sequence suggest that the Ouarjajin area was still less subsident compared to

639 northern sections.

640

641 Dahar sequences 4 and 5 (DS4 and DS5)

22
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
642 Yellow-green marls with intercalations of thin fibrous gypsum layers overlay lagoonal bioturbated dolomites in

643 Sidi Stout and evolve laterally to oolitic tidal flat facies (Dof) in the Ouadi Hallouf section (Fig.11). Evaporitic

644 marls are replaced northwestward by shallow subtidal and intertidal dolomites. A quartz enrichment occurs in

645 this direction. The Pliensbachian Zmilet Haber Fm. covers marls and consists of bioturbated oolitic dolomites of

646 lagoonal environment.

647

PT
648 Interpretation: Lagoonal or oolitic dolomites above fluvial deposits of the end of the DS3 sequence illustrate a

649 marine flooding at the base of the DS4 sequence. The maximum flooding interval is located in these dolomitic

RI
650 facies since overlaying evaporitic marls mark a more restricted environment. The quartz enrichment, the

SC
651 transition to more proximal facies, and the thinning of deposits toward the northwest indicate that this area was

652 still less subsident. However, the absence of alluvial fan deposits in Mougor shows that the preexisting

653 topographic high that existed during the Carnian was partially erased or flooded during the DS4 sequence. The

654
U
Zmilet Haber Fm. illustrates a new opening of the depositional environment accompanied by the reappearance of
AN
655 oolitic and bioturbated facies. Consequently, the basal surface of the Zmilet Haber Fm. corresponds to a

656 transgression surface and to the boundary between DS4 and DS5 sequences. The constant thickness and the lack
M

657 of change of depositional environment in the Ouarjajin area suggest that the synsedimentary fault activity

658 supposed during the Carnian stopped during sequences DS4 and DS5.
D

659
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660 A stacking pattern analysis allowed to evidence a low frequency maximum flooding during the DS1 cycle

661 (Fig.9). A major sequence boundary corresponds to the transgression surface at the top of the DS3 sequence,
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662 above fluvial deposits. A second low frequency flooding led to the deposition of the B Horizon.

663
C

664 5.4 Subsurface correlations

AC

665 In order to clarify the correlations between the J. Rehach and the North Dahar, to propose correlations between

666 outcrops and formations described in subsurface in eastern Algeria or south Tunisia (Ben Ismaïl, 1982,

667 Hamouche, 2006, Bourquin et al., 2010, Turner et al., 2001, Turner and Sherif, 2007) and to refine the relation

668 between depositional sequences and the regional geodynamic history, several transects of well logs correlations

669 located south of the outcrop strip have been studied (Fig.14).

670

671 5.4.1 Outcrop – subsurface correlations

23
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
672 A composite log merging the Achaab El Messaoudi and Kef El Galala sections was correlated with the El Borma

673 Nord Est 1 (EB-NE-1) well located 165 km away to the southwest (Fig.14). This well was chosen because of its

674 proximity with the wells decribed by Galleazzi et al. (2010) in Algeria and because it cross one of the thickest

675 and most complete serie of upper Triassic and lower Jurassic deposits in south Tunisia. Electric log patterns and

676 petrographic descriptions available in drill reports have been used to determine changes in depositional

677 environments and sequences. Shales are characterized by higher Gamma Ray (GR) values compared to

PT
678 dolomites or evaporites. Resistivity and Neutron logs allowed differentiating evaporites (high values) from pure

679 dolomites (low values). In contrast, since sandstones are arkosic their identification was difficult using Gamma

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680 Ray logs. Consequently, their occurrence was mainly determined using drill reports.

SC
681

682 The sequences RM1 to RM5 evidenced in the J. Rehach have been identified in subsurface (Fig.15). The

683 Mekraneb Fm. is characterized by dolomite and evaporite alternations in the lower part of the Trias Argilo

684
U
Carbonaté (TAC). Sandstones of the Touareg Fm. constitute the lowstand deposits of the upper part of the
AN
685 middle frequency RM1 sequence and are present in the EB-NE-1 well. In subsurface, the flooding of the RM2

686 sequence is characterized by green shales and dolomites. Basinward, the highstand of RM2 consists of an
M

687 enrichment in anhydrite and gypsum forming the Lower Evaporites (Fig.15). The inverse evolution of facies due

688 to an opening of depositional environments illustrates the transgression of RM3 in the upper part of the TAC. In
D

689 the El Borma Nord Est 1 well the top of RM3 is characterized by the sharp transition to sandstones interpreted as
TE

690 the result of an increase in terrigenous inputs and a basinward shift of facies. This interval constitutes the lower

691 boundary of S4 salt (Bourquin et al., 2010; Galeazzi et al., 2010; Hamouche, 2006; Turner and Sherif, 2007) and
EP

692 is correlated with the exposure characterized by paleosoil in the upper part of the Rehach Fm in the Rehach

693 quarry section (Fig.7). In subsurface, and as in the J. Rehach, the flooding during the RM4 sequence is
C

694 materialized by the appearance of variegated clays and shallow marine dolomitic facies. The maximum flooding
AC

695 is reached when dolomitic facies are predominant. The top of this sequence is characterized halite and gypsum

696 deposits interpreted as lowstand deposits coeval to the incision and the deposition of the Kronab conglomerates

697 in the J. Rehach. The first deposits of RM5 illustrate a new flooding with the gradual reappearance of shallow

698 marine dolomites and evaporites. A new lowstand characterized by halite beds constitutes the top of RM5 and is

699 interpreted as coeval with the subaerial exposure characterized by tepee structures in the lower part of the Mhira

700 Fm. in the J. Rehach. The flooding of the sequence RM6 is represented by marine shales with scarce gypsum

701 beds. The highstand is characterized by a thick halite unit constituting the upper part of S4 salt. In the Achaab El

24
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
702 Messaoudi section this sequence is absent because of its truncation by the Sidi Stout unconformity. Two

703 sequences RM7 and RM8 have been observed in the playa facies (Fre facies) of the D2 Fm (Emzab Fm. of Ben

704 Ismaïl, 1982). The top of RM7 corresponds to a gypsum and halite unit. This evaporitic unit is correlated with

705 the regressive event characterized by lenticular gypsum with petrified rootlets observed on outcrop in the Mhira

706 Fm. in the Sebkhet Leguine area. This correlation scheme is coherent with the lithostratigraphic diagram of

707 Mejri et al. (2006) who consider that the D2 Fm. is the lateral equivalent in subsurface of the Mhira shales. The

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708 top of the RM8 sequence consists of the transgressive surface at the base of overlaying S3 salts. The RM7 and

709 RM8 sequences are lacking in the Achaab El Messaoudi section because of their truncation by the regional

RI
710 angular unconformity at the base of the Messaoudi Fm.

SC
711

712 In subsurface, the Mhira Fm. is overlain by a thick unit of evaporites with intercalations of dolomites and shales.

713 Facies consist of anhydrite, massive halite beds, dolomite with anhydrite nodules or ooids and red or green

714
U
shales. This unit corresponds in part to the equivalent of the Messaoudi and Bhir formations observed in the J.
AN
715 Rehach. The first basal halite unit is named S3 salt and, above, dolomite stringers in the middle part constitute

716 the Zerzour Fm. below the evaporitic Bhir Fm. According to facies models and their relationships with sequence
M

717 stratigraphy proposed for coastal evaporites and salterns (Kendall, 1988; Tucker, 1991; Warren, 2006),

718 carbonates illustrate connections with the open-sea and an efficient renewal of seawater during periods of high
D

719 relative sea-level when the sill is flooded. In contrast, as showed by Tucker (1991) in the Zechstein evaporites of
TE

720 Germany, isolation of the basin during regressive periods is characterized by precipitation of anhydrite and

721 finally halite when closure is completed. On the basis of these considerations, eleven sequences (RM9 to RM19)
EP

722 have been evidenced into the S3 salt, Zerzour, and Bhir Fm. capped by the B Horizon (Fig.15). Sequences from

723 RM9 to RM11 are dominated by halite deposits while from RM12 to RM16 anhydrite and dolomitic facies
C

724 become predominant. Halite layers, reappear in the upper part of RM16 and RM17 sequences. RM18 is
AC

725 characterized by an increase in green shales and dolomitic deposits.

726

727 The nineteen middle frequency cycles are inserted into three and a half low frequency transgression/regression

728 cycles (MS). The first maximum flooding of MS1 is located in the Rehach Fm. during RM3. Above the

729 shallowing of depositional environments constitutes the low frequency highstand until a regressive maximum

730 and the confinement of the basin during deposition of Kronab conglomerates and coeval halite in a more distal

731 position. A new moderate flooding during MS2 led to deposition of shallow marine dolomites and evaporites

25
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732 during the early stage of the Mhira Fm. (RM5 sequence). The low frequency highstand consists of continental

733 playa deposits of the upper part of the Mhira Fm. The third low frequency flooding started with restricted marine

734 halite deposits of S3 salt and led to the deposition of Zerzour dolomites. The maximum flooding was reached

735 during RM13 when dolomitic facies were the most widespread. A new highstand period led to the deposition of

736 halite facies during RM16 and RM17. A final low frequency flooding during RM18 to RM19 was completed

737 with deposition of dolomites of the Pliensbachian B Horizon.

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738

739 5.4.2 Transect 1:

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740 The transect 1 is oriented NW-SE between Bir Soltane 1 and Garaet El Atsel 1 wells and is parallel to the

SC
741 outcrop strip (Fig.14). Deposits of the sequence RM1 are present only in the Garaet El atsel 1 well. This implies

742 an onlap of those deposits northwestward. The thickness of the TAC is broadly constant between Bou Nemcha 1

743 and Garaet El Atsel 1 wells (Fig.16). Those Carnian deposits are absent in the Ksar El Hallouf well, where only

744
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dolomites of the Messaoudi Fm. and evaporites of the Bhir Fm. are present. Sandstones and halite beds which
AN
745 deposited during lowstands at the end of sequences RM3 and RM4 respectively pinch-out northwestward. S4

746 salts and the Mhira Fm. are present until the Bou Nemcha 1 well and disappear toward Ksar El Hallouf.
M

747 Accordingly to outcrop observations in the J. Rehach, the most probable origin for the disappearance of Carnian

748 and Norian deposits northwestward is their progressive truncation below the regional angular Sidi Stout
D

749 unconformity rather than an onlap geometry. S3 salt is only present in the southeast of the transect while
TE

750 deposition started with dolomitic and evaporitic deposits of the RM12 sequence in the Ksar El Hallouf well. This

751 geometry suggests a northward onlap of Rhaetian evaporites and dolomites. In the Bir Soltane 1 well Triassic
EP

752 and Lower Jurassic deposits are absent and Dogger carbonates rest unconformably on the Permian. Such a

753 geometry indicating an increasing unconformity toward the northwest is consistent with observations of Raulin
C

754 (2013) and Raulin et al. (2011) who described unconformity of the Vraconian on the Permian at the western
AC

755 termination of the Tebaga of Medenine.

756

757 5.4.3 Transect 2

758 The transect 2 is located west of outcrops and is oriented N-S (Fig.14). The northern termination of the transect

759 corresponds to the Kef El Amba section in the North Dahar. The equivalent of the Mekraneb Formation

760 (dolomitic part of the RM1 sequence) and the Touareg sandstones are well represented in the southern part of the

761 transect (Fig.17a). However, those deposits are absent north of BZ-1 (Fig.17a, 17b). Lower evaporites at the top

26
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
762 of the RM2 sequence are present on a wide part of the transect and disappear northward. South of PGA-1, the

763 transgressive part of RM3 is characterized by black organic shales intercalated with evaporites at the base and

764 replaced by dolomites to the top (Fig.17a). The thickness of RM3 increases gradually from south to north,

765 decreases rapidly between BZ-1 and PGA-1 (Fig.17b), and fluctuates rapidly between OS-1 and the Tebaga of

766 Medenine. In the southern part of the transect a maximum flooding is reached at the top of Carnian black

767 argilites and above the reappearance of dolomites indicates a progradation during the highstand of RM3

PT
768 (Fig.17a). This regressive phase is interrupted by a sharp transition to intertidal and supratidal dolomites with

769 sandstone intercalations in the lower part. This interval is interpreted as lowstand deposits equivalent of mottled

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770 clays and the paleosoil observed in the J. Rehach at the top of the RM3 sequence. In the south this sharp

SC
771 transition is accompanied by an erosional unconformity indicated by toplap geometries (Fig.17a). Lowstand

772 deposits of RM3 pinch-out on the northern margin of the basin. A second unconformity is present in the upper

773 part of RM4. Lowstand deposits of the top of RM4 represented by halite and sandstones pinch-out southward

774
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and northward with onlaps (Fig.17a, 17b). Transgressive and highstand evaporites of RM6 and RM7 are
AN
775 replaced by evaporitic shales northward (Fig.17b).

776
M

777 As in transect 1, deposits of RM3 to RM8 are truncated northward by the Rhaetian regional unconformity

778 (Fig.17b). The truncation is also present in the southern part of the transect where S4 salt and evaporitic red
D

779 shales of the D2 Fm. are gradually truncated with toplap geometries below S3 salts (Fig.17a). In contrast, it is
TE

780 interesting to note that in the central part of the transect S3 salts overlain conformably the Mhira shales. Note

781 also that the thickness of S3 salts and dolomite rich part of the Bhir Fm. increases locally in the vicinity of PGA-
EP

782 1. S3 salts onlap the unconformity southward (Fig.17a) and northward (Fig.17b) and grade laterally to anhydrite

783 or red evaporitic shales in the KGH-1 area. According to geometries observed on the transect 1, only dolomites
C

784 of the Messaoudi Fm. and evaporites of the Bhir Fm onlaped and flooded the Tebaga of Medenine. This suggests
AC

785 that brecciated dolomites of the North Dahar correspond to a lateral equivalent of those formations. The flooding

786 of RM13 is accompanied by the generalisation of dolomitic facies in the saltern. Oolitic dolomites of the Zerzour

787 Member grade laterally to Messaoudi dolomites which are directly overlaying the Rhaetian unconformity to the

788 north. These facies suggest that connections with the open-sea were re-established and that the sill was flooded.

789 Consequently we consider that dolomites of the North Dahar deposited during the RM14 and RM15 sequences

790 during a low frequency maximum flooding period. This interpretation is consistent with the subsequent

791 reappearance of confined conditions in the basin as attested by the occurence of halite in the transect 1 and 2 at

27
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792 the top of RM16 and RM17. This regressive period is correlated to the incision on the sill observed in the North

793 Dahar at the base of fluvial deposits.

794

795 6 Discussion

796 6.1 Facies models and climatic implications

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797 Two depositional models succeeded each other during late Triassic and early Jurassic times. During the Carnian

798 the basin was open to the Neotethys, as attested by the common occurrence of storm deposits and open marine

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799 fauna Evaporitic facies developed only in temporarily exposed proximal areas. Facies were mainly dolomitic and

800 deepest environments consisted of offshore marls and storm dominated nodular dolomites. From the late Carnian

SC
801 and until the late Norian confined evaporitic and siliciclastic deposits of playa lake environment prevailed.

802 During the Rhaetian and the early Jurassic, dolomitic facies developed on the sill formed by the Tebaga of

U
803 Medenine. This relief bordered a confined saltern to the south. In intertidal to supratidal environments,
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804 stromatolitic dolomites with evaporites nodules, desiccation cracks and tepee structures were the dominant

805 facies. The basin became confined and evaporites precipitated.

806
M

807 Several factors have certainly influenced changes in the depositional models. The closure of the basin during the
D

808 Norian and the Rhaetian due in part to the emergence of the Tebaga of Medenine certainly favoured the

809 precipitation of evaporites in central and south Tunisia (Turner and Sherif, 2007). This interpretation is conforted
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810 by the occurrence of less restricted environements in the evaporitic Rehouis Fm located north of the Tebaga of

811 Medenine (Kamoun et al., 2001). In the other hand, evaporitic facies were not exclusively restricted to the south
EP

812 of the Tebaga of Medenine but also deposited north of it, in the Tunisian Atlas (Kamoun et al., 2001). As a

813 consequence, the generalization of evaporitic facies also suggests an increase in the aridity. However, while
C

814 transition to dry condition during the end of the Triassic have been described on the neighbouring Moroccan
AC

815 margin (Hofmann et al., 2000) and in Libya (Muttoni et al., 2001), an increase in humidity is observed on the

816 northern tehyan margin during the Rhaetian (Berra et al., 2010) and up to Sweden (Ahlberg et al., 2002). The

817 appearance of humid belts at high latitudes and on the northern Tethys margins coeval of an aridification of

818 tropical areas is certainly due to the conjunction of both a strong monsoonal effect during the end of the late

819 Triassic (Tanner et al., 2004) and the displacement to the arid climatic belt during the anticlockwise rotation of

820 the Gondwana (Muttoni et al., 2001).

821

28
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822 6.2 Accommodation vs sediment supply

823 During the Carnian, floodings led to the deposition of offshore marls. During regressive maximum intertidal to

824 supratidal dolomitic environments prevailed without prolongated subaerial exposures. These features suggest

825 that accommodation exceeded the sedimentation rate. Indeed, the chloralgal bentic association devoid of

826 hermatypic corals and with scarce oolitic deposits which existed in hypersaline environments on the basin

827 margins was certainly not able to produce important quantities of carbonate to counterbalance accommodation.

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828 During the desposition of the lower part of S3 salt the thickness of sequences decreased and intertidal deposits

829 capped by prolongated subaerial exposure prevailed on the southeast margin of the Tebaga of Medenine (Fig.7).

RI
830 The overall shallowing of depositional environments cannot be explained by an increase in sediment supply

SC
831 given the persistence of chloralgal benthic associations and the lack of important volumes siliciclastic inputs. In

832 contrast such an evolution rather suggests a decrease in the accommodation during the highstand of the low

833 frequency RM1 sequence.

834
U
AN
835 In contrast, during the late Norian (upper part of S4 salt and Mhira shales) the thick marine halite and playa lake

836 deposits suggest that despite a positive accommodation the available space was filled by the sedimentation. This
M

837 argues for an increase in the sediment supply during this period. This increase may be explained by either a less

838 aride climate or the appearance of reliefs providing important quantities of terrigenous material.
D

839
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840 During the Rhaetian and the early Jurassic middle frequency, despite the absence of carbonate producers and of

841 siliciclastic sediment supply, sequences are thin and prolongated subaerial exposures prevailed at the end of
EP

842 progradations as attested by the abundance of collapse brecias. During the low frequency maximum flooding the

843 predominance of washover deposits indicates that depth never exceeded few metres. All these features suggest
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844 that accommodation was less important than during the Carnian and the end of the Norian and that a low
AC

845 sediment supply was able to fill the accommodation space.

846

847 6.3 Tectonosedimentary evolution

848 Subsurfaces and outcrop correlations allow to propose a coherent tectonosedimentary scenario for the late

849 Triassic and early Jurassic of central Tunisia. During the late Triassic and the early Jurassic the Central and

850 Southern Tunisia were impacted by several tectonic events.

851 Ladinian-Carnian

29
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852 The deposition of the Mekraneb Fm. occurred during the first Carnian flooding (RM1 sequence) (Fig.18a).

853 During RM1 and RM2 a large and shallow carbonate ramp extended in the J. Rehach and the proximal area was

854 located to the northwest on margins of the Paleozoic Talemzane high. However, the erosion toward the

855 northwest due to the Sidi Stout unconformity allows not to know the extension of the transgression. Peritidal

856 dolomites and limestones existed in the whole basin during periods of high relative sea-level. During regressive

857 maximum and confinement of the basin at the end of the sequence RM1 and RM2, fluvial and estuarine

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858 sandsones (Touareg Fm.) and evaporites prevailed in the basin (Fig.18a). The lack of deposits of RM1 and RM2

859 north of the BZ-1 well can be explained by the topography inherited from the Talemzane High on which Carnian

RI
860 deposits onlaped and which was still exposed at the end of the middle Triassic (Bibonne, 2014). During the

SC
861 transgression of RM3 condensed facies with black organic shales developed in south Tunisia. The upper part of

862 the TAC equivalent of the Rehach Fm. indicates the continuation of the Carnian flooding. The high was flooded

863 during RM3. The thinning of deposits south of PGA-1 and their thickening between OS-1 and MHB-1 can also

864
U
be explained by the topography due to the Talemzaqne High (Figs.17a, 17b). In contrast, the local variations in
AN
865 thickness of the TAC north of MHB-1 suggest that synsedimentary normal faults were active during the Carnian

866 and generated local thickening of Rehach dolomites on hangingwalls (Fig.18a). No evidence of uplift of the
M

867 Tebaga of Medenine during the deposition of the TAC has been observed. This extensional phase coeval with

868 alkaline volcanism in the Chotts Basin (Bouaziz et al., 2002, Piqué et al., 1998; Raulin, 2013) coincides with the
D

869 major Carnian flooding accompanied by the generalization of marine dolomitic ramp facies open to the
TE

870 Neotethys. This scenario is in disagreement with the geodynamic timing proposed by Stampfli and Borel (2002)

871 who considered that the end of the rifting and the onset of thermal subsidence on the Tunisian margin occurred
EP

872 during the late Permian. In contrast our observations support the scenario proposed by several authors (Bouaziz

873 et al., 2002; Courel et al., 2003; Galeazzi et al., 2010; Piqué et al., 1998; Raulin, 2013; Raulin et al., 2011;
C

874 Turner et al., 2001) of a tectonic subsidence and rifting still active during the late Triassic. However, the Carnian
AC

875 corresponds to the last rifting stage after a rifting peak reached during the late Permian and the early Triassic

876 (Raulin, 2013).

877

878 The first evidence of the uplift of the Tebaga of Medenine corresponds to the rapid transition to alluvial mottled

879 clays and to formation of a paleosoil in the J. Rehach at the top of RM3. In this area and in the northern part of

880 the transect 2 (Fig.18b) the uplift of the northern region is responsible of an exposure while lowstand sandstones

881 deposited southward (Fig.18b). This event corresponds to a major change in sedimentation during the late

30
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
882 Carnian with an increase in evaporitic deposition and siliciclastic inputs during a low frequency forced

883 regression and a gradual isolation of the Ghadames Basin. This first uplift phase is contemporaneous with the

884 onset of deposition of S4 salt. Partial emptying of the basin characterized by prolongated subaerial exposures

885 with or without incision of the basin margin in the J. Rehach (Kronab conglomerates and tepee surface) coeval

886 with halite deposition in the basin occurred during the late Carnian and the early Norian (RM4 and RM5

887 sequences) (Fig.18c, 18d). They are separated by a reflooding during RM5 illustrated by the reinstallation of

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888 peritidal dolomites on margins grading to anhydrite in the basin.

889

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890 Kamoun et al. (2001) proposed that the Tebaga of Medenine was a horst formed during rifting. Another scenario

SC
891 based on paleostress and seismic studies (Bouaziz et al., 2002; Raulin, 2013) proposed that Tunisia was mainly

892 impacted by a transpressional regime along the Jeffara fault system. Even if the region located north of the

893 Jeffara faults system was impacted by extensive tectonics and alkaline volcanism during the entire late Carnian

894
U
and early Norian (Kamoun et al., 2001), during the deposition of the sequences RM4 and RM5 , no obvious local
AN
895 variations in subsidence can be deduced from outcrop and subsurface correlations south of the Tebaga of

896 Medenine. This suggests that normal faults activity decreased south of the Jeffara fault system during the late
M

897 Carnian. Except the uplift of the Tebaga of Medenine, the Ghadames Basin was broadly stable. Consequently

898 our observations attest of an interruption or at least a decrease in the the rift activity during the late Carnian
D

899 coeval with a change in stress regime. The rapid and constant southward thickening of deposits of the sequence
TE

900 RM5 suggests a new uplift of the northern margin of the basin (Fig.18d).

901 Norian
EP

902 After a moderate flooding at the base of the Mhira Fm., a shallowing of depositional environments prevailed

903 during the Norian and the deposition of playa red shales of the upper part of the Mhira Fm. Siliciclastic inputs
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904 increased in the basin and continental environments prevailed (Fig.18e). Sequences were characterized by
AC

905 deposition of shallow evaporitic playas during floodings and by generalization of continental sebkha facies and

906 paleosoil during drying periods. During the Norian, alkaline volcanism was documented in the Chott region

907 north of the Jeffara fault system (Kamoun et al., 2001) and indicates the continuation of extensive tectonics in

908 this area. On the transect 2 local thickening of D2 shales in the PGA-1 area suggests that a renewal of normal

909 faulting also occurred during the late Norian in the Ghadames Basin (Fig.17a). However, location of faults are

910 different from those of faults active during the Carnian (Fig.18e).

911 Rhaetian-early Jurassic

31
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912 On the northern margin, the boundary between sequences RM8 and RM9 corresponds to the major Sidi Stout

913 unconformity. Considering the late Norian age of the Mhira Fm. (Bouaziz et al., 1987) and the Rhaetian age of

914 the Messaoudi dolomites (Mello and Bouaziz, 1987), Bouaziz et al. (1987) attributed a late Norian to early

915 Rhaetian age to the unconformity. This event corresponds to a major southward tilting of the Permo-Triassic

916 block of the Tebaga of Medenine in the northern part of the Ghadames Basin (Fig.18e). The onlap of the S3 salt

917 observed both in north direction on the transect 2 (Fig.17a and 17b) indicates that the basin was drained in part

PT
918 during a period of negative accommodation. This fall of base level also generated a slight erosion of southern

919 part of the basin as attested by the toplap geometry of Mhira shales below the S3 salt (Fig.17a). As proposed by

RI
920 Bouaziz et al. (1987, 2002) and since the angular unconformity is the more developed in the vicinity of the

SC
921 Tebaga of Medenine, the compressional transpressive activity of the Jeffara system was probably still active

922 during the early Rhaetian and was responsible of the southward tilting.

923

924
U
The onlap geometry of the S3 salt on the Tebaga of Medenine illustrates the gradual marine reflooding of the
AN
925 basin after its entire or partial exposure (Fig.18f). However, the angular unconformity disappears in the central

926 part of the basin (Fig.17a). If the basin was totally drained during a generalized uplift of the basin, the basal
M

927 surface of S3 salts should consist of a surface of subaerial exposure coeval with lowstand deposits in deeper

928 neighbouring basins (Fig.19a). In contrast, in the absence of unconformity and subaerial exposure, and since S3
D

929 salts are marine, the basal surface of S3 salts should be a transgressive surface (Fig.19b). In Libya, the contact
TE

930 between Norian fluvial deposits of the Abu Shaybah Fm. and the overlaying shallow marine Abu Ghaylan Fm.,

931 envisioned as the lateral equivalent of Tunisian Rhaetian evaporites (Mejri et al., 2006), is conformable (Hallet,
EP

932 2002) and probably corresponds to the Rhaetian flooding (Rubino, 2003). If, such a surface exists at the base of

933 S3 salts in the central part of Tunisia this implies that subaerial exposure on the uplifted Tebaga of Medenine is
C

934 coeval with a flooding in the southern subsiding area without basinward shift of facies and lowstand deposits.
AC

935 This suggests that the folding that generated the uplift of the Tebaga de Medenine was accompanied by an

936 increase in accommodation (subsidence or eustasy?) which exceeded the sedimentation rate in the basin. If this

937 model is confirmed, as proposed by Dreyer et al. (1999) in the syndeformational Eocene Sobrarbe deltaic

938 complex in the South Pyrenean foreland Ainsa Basin, a subaerial exposure in uplifted zones used as sequence

939 boundary sensu Vail et al. (1991) could be correlated with a transgressive surface without lowstand deposits in

940 active tectonic areas. Unfortunately, the absence of observations on cores allowed not to determine the nature of

941 the surface in the central part of the basin.

32
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
942

943 The reflooding of the sill was completed during the RM12 sequence (Fig.18f). During this period dolomitic

944 facies were generalized. Oolitic shoals of the Messaoudi Fm. developed on the sill in the North Dahar while

945 storm washover deposits extended southward and formed the Zerzour Member. This suggests that connections

946 with the open-sea were completed during this period of high relative sea-level. However the alternation of

947 collapse breccias and intertidal stromatolitic dolomites in the Messaoudi Fm. argues for a shallow and temporary

PT
948 exposed saltern. The abundance of siliciclastic material in dolomitic facies in the North Dahar suggests that

949 erosion from exposed lands was more active than during the Carnian. This is confirmed by the occurrence of

RI
950 alluvial fan deposits certainly fed by exposed parts of the Tebaga of Medenine in most proximal parts (Mougor

SC
951 area). A normal fault was active in the North Dahar and the Ouarjaijin area recorded deposition of shallower

952 intertidal to supratidal facies on the footwall. In addition, the local thickening of S3 salt and dolomitic facies in

953 PGA-1 attests of normal faulting during RM7 to RM11 (Figs.17a and 18f) . Contrarily to Kamoun et al. (2001)

954
U
who argued that Zerzour dolomites and Bhir evaporites deposited during a post-rift period, our observations
AN
955 suggest that normal faulting occured during the long term reflooding of the Ghadames Basin. However, the

956 scarcity of local subsidence differentials suggests that the rifting intensity was lower than during Carnian times.
M

957 This interpretation is consistent with the continuation of shallow to emersive conditions, and the reduced

958 thickness of sequences during the deposition of the Messaoudi and Bhir formations (Fig.18f). This implies that
D

959 the overall subsidence was necessarily moderate in the Ghadames Basin and did not outpace the sedimentation
TE

960 rate.

961
EP

962 During the end of RM16 the basin became confined again. Halite and siliciclastics deposited in the deeper parts

963 of the basin during a lowstand while an incision affected the North Dahar (Fig.18f). The prolongated subaerial
C

964 exposure caused dissolution of evaporites interbeded with dolomitic facies and generated collapse breccias. The
AC

965 long term regression continued until the end of the RM17 sequence. A new low frequency reflooding started

966 during RM18 and led to the deposition of the evaporites and dolomites of the Bhir Fm. (Fig.18f). No local

967 variations in subsidence have been evidenced during this period suggesting that normal faulting ceased.

968

969 6.4 Comparisons with neighbouring regions and origin of depositional sequences

970 A good correlation exists between Carnian to Norian sequences observed in the present study and the curve of

971 coastal onlaps of European basins (Hardenbol et al., 1998) (Fig.20). This observation suggests that middle

33
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
972 frequency cycles were certainly controlled by eustasy. For Raethian and Lower Jurassic deposits, sequences

973 identified on well logs are matching with the coastal onlap curve. However, robust datations are lacking in the

974 evaporitic deposits of the Bhir Fm. It makes difficult to estimate the duration of sequences and to discriminate

975 possible mixing of differents orders. In addition, Rhaetian and Lower Jurassic sequences are constituted by

976 shallow subtidal to supratidal facies impacted by subaerial exposures. Consequently, considering these shallow

977 depositional environments, sequences may be lacking in the sedimentary record especially during periods of low

PT
978 frequency lowstand (e.g. RM16 and RM17).

979

RI
980 From Morocco to Tunisia subsident troughs developed along transform Hercynian faults with a senestral

SC
981 movement and oriented NW-SE or NE-SW (Galeazzi et al., 2010; Piqué et al., 1998; Piqué and Laville, 1995).

982 The subsident Jeffara Basin constituted the western prolongation of one of these troughs and during the Carnian

983 rifting, transpressional movement along the Jeffara fault system generated local folding in Tunisia (Raulin,

984
U
2013). As mentioned by Raulin (2013) the strike-slip movements of the NW-SE Hercynian structures during the
AN
985 late Triassic accommodated the anticlockwise movement (Muttoni et al., 2001) of the northern Gondwana

986 during the Atlantic rifting which was still active during Norian and Rhaetian times (Laville et al., 2004). As in
M

987 Tunisia, Carnian rifting has been documented along the northern Gonwana margin such as in Morocco (Laville

988 et al., 2004; Manspeizer et al., 1978), central Algeria (Courel et al., 2003, Galeazzi et al., 2010), Egypt (Hussein
D

989 and Abd-Allah, 2001; Keeley, 1994) and Levant margin (Gardosh et al., 2010; Korngreen and Benjamini, 2002).
TE

990 This rifting is related to the opening of the Neotethys in Tunisia and eastern region (Bouaziz et al., 2002;

991 Korngreen and Benjamini, 2002) while the Altlantic rifting impacted Morocco and probably Algeria (Bourquin
EP

992 et al., 2010). The low frequency Carnian flooding has been observed from the Arabian platform to the Italian

993 dolomites (Haq and Al-Qahtani, 2005; Gianolla and Jacquin; 1998). In south Algeria, Bourquin et al. (2010)
C

994 considered that the maximum flooding occurred during a rifting phase and the deposition of the Trias Argileux
AC

995 carbonaté (TAC). These authors dated the maximum flooding to the early Norian. However in Central Algeria

996 and for some of the same wells that those used by Bourquin et al. (2010), Galleazzi et al. (2010) envisioned a

997 Carnian age for the TAC. This age is more consistent with our correlations scheme between the Carnian Rehach

998 dolomites in outcrops and the TAC in subsurface. Overall, the low frequency flooding was probably favored by

999 an active subsidence created by the rifting.

1000

34
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
1001 In the Ghadames Basin, Bouaziz et al. (2002) envisioned a short period of change in the stress regime during the

1002 end of the Triassic linked to a significant transpressional activity of the Jeffara fault system. Such an

1003 interpretation was also mentioned by Raulin (2013). Our observations are in agreement with these authors. In the

1004 Ghadames Basin the activity of normal faulting stopped during the late Carnian when first evidences of the uplift

1005 of the Tebaga of Medenine appeared. An abrupt shallowing in depositional environments accompanied this

1006 change in stress regime and generated an unconformity at the base of the S4 salt. A similar unconformity with

PT
1007 shallowing of depositional environment was described between the TAC dolomites and the S4 salt in Algeria

1008 (Galeazzi et al., 2010) and between the Carnian marine dolomites of the Azizia Fm. and the fluvial Abu Shayba

RI
1009 Fm. in Libya (Rubino et al., 2003; Hallet, 2002). Discontinuities are attributed to the Norian but could be dated

SC
1010 late Carnian since the ages of deposits directly above them are not constrained (Adlof et al., 1985) (Fig.20). A

1011 late Carnian uplift preceding a volcanic event was also envisioned on the Levant margin (Korngreen and

1012 Benjamini, 2002).

1013
U
AN
1014 A low frequency regression led to the partial drying of the basin during the late Norian-early Rhaetian and to the

1015 formation of the Sidi Stout unconformity. This period was accompanied by a major structural transpressive strike
M

1016 slip event with a tilting in the vicinity of the Tebaga of Medenine. The unconformity was also generated in

1017 southern Tunisia and Algeria. However rifting is documented in the Jeffara basin, in Morocco, and in Algeria
D

1018 until the Norian to early Rhaetian at least and continued during the early Jurassic time (Fig.20). This suggests
TE

1019 that despite a continuation of normal faulting in troughs bounded by Hercynian faults, subsidence decreased in

1020 central Tunisia. Galeazzi et al. (2010) and Stampfli et al. (2001) envisioned an uplift of rift shoulder during the
EP

1021 late Triassic. A similar interpretation was proposed for the late Carnian to Norian uplift phase preceding the

1022 Rhaetian to early Jurassic rifting and volcanism on the Levant margin (Korngreen and Benjamini, 2002).
C

1023 However, the structural rearrangement observed in Tunisia is probably linked to a more global event since
AC

1024 several angular unconformity and/or hiatus during a long term fall of base level from the middle Carnian to late-

1025 Norian or early Rhaetian has also been described in Germany (Aigner and Bachmann, 1992) and on the Arabian

1026 platform (Maurer et al., 2008). In the Italian Dolomites, a major fall in the relative sea-level during the middle

1027 Carnian coeval with a cessation of normal faulting precedes a second major fall at the Norian-Rhaetian boundary

1028 (Berra et al., 2010; Gianolla and Jacquin, 1998). In the Paris Basin, Bourquin and Guillocheau (1996) and

1029 Bourquin et al. (1998) also described an angular unconformity in the Marnes Irisées supérieures Fm. This

1030 unconformity is due to a global tilting of the Paris Basin and the activity of hercynian faults. Its age is intra-

35
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
1031 Norian. This unconformity was preceded by an important fall of relative sea-level as soon as the late Carnian and

1032 the deposition of the Grès à roseaux Fm. Overall, the rapid shallowing of depositional environments in the

1033 Ghadames Basin is coeval with a decrease in the subsidence linked to a decrease in the normal faulting and a

1034 widespread structural event recorded at the scale of the northern Gondwana margin and Western Europe.

1035 Guiraud et al. (2005) and Guiraud and Bosworth (1999) interpreted the late Triassic uplift and unconformities

1036 from Syria to Libya as the distal effects of the Early-Cimmerian event due to the collision and subduction of the

PT
1037 Iranian plate with Eurasia from the Carnian (Wilsem et al., 2009). Bourquin et al (2002) also proposed that the

1038 Early-Cimmerian tectonic phase was at the origin of modifications in stress regime and of Norian and Rhaetian

RI
1039 unconformities in the Paris Basin. Such an event is a more probable origin for coeval unconformities observed

SC
1040 both in northern African margins and in Germany and the Paris Basin located on the northern Tethyan margin

1041 where European plate deformations and reactivation of Hercynian structures due to variations in stress between

1042 plates was envisioned (Bourquin and Guillocheau, 1996). This event is a plausible cause for the structural

1043
U
rearrangements and the intensification of transpressive strike-slip movements along hercynian faults described in
AN
1044 central Tunisia (Bouaziz et al., 2002).

1045
M

1046 On the basis of gradual onlaps of Upper Triassic and Lower Jurassic deposits on the basin margins, Courel et al.

1047 (2003) argued that in Algeria and Tunisia the flooding was continuous during this period. However, even if the
D

1048 surface occupied by deposits increased from the Carnian to the Sinemurian, the flooding was interrupted from
TE

1049 the uppermost late Carnian to the rhaetian by several unconformities and lowstand sediments deposited in central

1050 parts of the basin (S4 and S3 salts). In addition a partial drying of the basin certainly occurred when the Rhaetian
EP

1051 Sidi Stout unconformity formed. Galeazzi et al. (2010) proposed that in Algeria and Tunisia, the late Norian to

1052 early Rhaetian uplift was the result of postrift thermal relaxation prior to a phase of thermal subsidence. Several
C

1053 authors also envisioned that a postrift phase started during the Rhaetian or the early Jurassic (Kamoun et al.,
AC

1054 2001; Piqué et al., 1998). However, as observed on outcrops in the North Dahar, in Central and Southern Tunisia

1055 the Rhaetian flooding is coeval with normal faulting. As pointed by Kamoun et al. (2001) the extensional

1056 tectonics was clearly attenuated compared to the Carnian. However this period is characterized by a renewal of

1057 normal faulting in the Ghadames Basin after a short transpressional regime from the late Carnian to the early

1058 Rhaetian. This suggests that a new rifting phase started during the Rhaetian. Despite the rifting was continuous

1059 from the Permian to the early Jurassic in north Tunisian troughs (Schettino and Turco, 2011), it was interrupted

1060 by an uplift during the Norian. Such an interpretation is in agreement with observations of Bouaziz et al. (2002)

36
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
1061 and Raulin et al. (2011) who proposed that during Rhaetian and early Jurassic rifting was active in Tunisia.

1062 Neotethys rifting during the early Jurassic is also documented in Egypt (Keeley, 1994; Hussein and Abd-Allah,

1063 2001) and on the Levant margin (Gardosh et al., 2010; Hardy et al., 2010). In this latter area, the rifting that

1064 probably started during Permian times and continued until the Bajocian was interrupted by a period of reduced

1065 tectonic activity and uplift during the Norian and early Jurassic (Garfunkel, 2004; Korngreen and Benjamini,

1066 2002). As evidenced in the late Triassic and early Jurassic of Morocco (Le Roy and Piqué, 2001) and on the

PT
1067 Levant margin, in central Tunisia several rifting sequences certainly succeded each other and were locally

1068 interrupted by short periods of compressive stress regime due to intensive transpressional activity of hercynian

RI
1069 structures delimiting subsident troughs. In summary, Tunisia was impacted by both N-S extension generated by

SC
1070 Neotehys rifting and the contemporaneous senestral displacement of Hercynian structures, which accommoded

1071 the Atlantic rifting in a N20 to N70 direction from the Permain and the Early-Cimmerian collision on the

1072 northern margin of the Neotethys from the Carnian. In Morocco, the thermal subsidence on the Atlantic margin

1073
U
started during the early Jurassic (Le Roy and Piqué, 2001) and may have controlled subsidence in Algeria
AN
1074 (Galeazzi et al., 2010) while eastward rifting of the Neotethys was still active from the Tunisian to the Levant

1075 margin.
M

1076

1077 7. Conclusion
D

1078 Nineteen middle frequency sequences have been depicted within the Carnian to Pliensbachian deposits in
TE

1079 Central and Southern Tunisia. They are grouped in three and a half low frequency transgression/regression

1080 cycles. Middle frequency sequences can be correlated to the eustatic curve of coastal onlaps of the European
EP

1081 basins. Low frequency sequences can be correlated to the successive steps in the geodynamic evolution of the

1082 basin:
C

1083 - During most of late Carnian and the first low frequency flooding, marine open environments prevailed. This
AC

1084 flooding was probably favored by subsidence created by normal faulting during a rifting period, initiated during

1085 the Permian.

1086 - During the uppermost late Carnian, an abrupt shallowing of depositional environments occurred and was

1087 coeval with the first evidences of uplift of the Tebaga of Medenine high. Deposition occurred in shallow

1088 intertidal or continental playa environments. Normal faulting declined and compressive regime on margins

1089 southern compartment of the Hercynian Jeffara fault system prevailed. The area was uplifted and several angular

1090 unconformities formed on edges of the basin contemporaneously with middle frequency lowstand deposits in its

37
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
1091 central part. The major Sidi Stout unconformity is present on edges of the uplifted Tebaga of Medenine where it

1092 corresponds to a low frequency regressive maximum. In contrast the unconformity disappears soutward where

1093 Rhaetian S3 salt appears as transgressive in subsiding syncline zones. The uplift can be documented until late

1094 Norian to early Rhaetian. This uplift and attenuation of the rifting documented as far as the Levant margin may

1095 correspond to the conjunction of several mechanisms such as an uplift of rift shoulders preceding the second

1096 rifting event and the local change in stress regime due to an intensive transpressional activity along the

PT
1097 Hercynian structures.

1098 - During the Rhaetian and possibly until the early Jurassic a second event of normal faulting impacted Central

RI
1099 Tunisia. During this period a second low frequency flooding invaded the Ghadames Basin. The Messaoudi

SC
1100 dolomites deposited on edges of the sill formed by the Tebaga of Medenine high, while evaporites predominated

1101 in a saltern to the south in more distal parts.

1102

1103
U
The change in depositional models between open marine Carnian deposits and Rhaetian to Lower Jurassic
AN
1104 restricted evaporites is certainly the result of both the appearance of the Tebaga of Medenine high, this relief was

1105 acting as a sill, and a climatic change from humid to arid during the gradual anticlockwise migration of the
M

1106 Gondwana. In the future, in order to better constrain durations and ages of sequences in Messaoudi and Bhir Fm.

1107 datation must be better constrained. The nature of the basal surface of S3 salt in the basin has to be determined in
D

1108 order to solve the question of a possible flooding in the subsident basin coeval with exposure on uplifted areas.
TE

1109 A complementary correlation work of well logs is actually in progress to refine correlations of Tunisian deposits

1110 and unconformities with adjacent regions of Algeria and Libya and to test the stratigraphic scheme proposed in
EP

1111 this study.

1112
C

1113 Acknowledgement
AC

1114 We would like to thank TOTAL Company who supported this study as part of the project of Sud Peri-Tethys.

1115 We also acknowledge Romain Bibonne, Camille Raulin for discussion and exchange during field trips and

1116 workshops. We are grateful to Sylvie Bourquin and the anonymous reviewer who allowed to improve the quality

1117 of the manuscript through their comments and advices. We also thank A. Kalifi and M. Facon for their help for

1118 well logs correlations.

1119

1120 References:

38
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1488 An overview of the fundamentals of sequence stratigraphy and key definitions, in: Wilgus, C.K., Hastings, B.S.,

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1509

1510 Zaitlin, B., Dalrymple, R., Boyd, R., 1994. The stratigraphic organization of incised-valley systems associated

1511 with relative sea-level change, in: Dalrymple, R., Boyd, R., Zaitlin, B. (Eds.), Incised-valley systems: origin and

1512 sedimentary sequences. SEPM Special Publication, 51, Tulsa, pp. 45-60.

1513

1514 Table captions:

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1515

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1516 Table 1: GPS coordinates of measured sections.

1517

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1518 Table 2: Summary of principal Upper Triassic-Lower Jurassic facies.

1519

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1520 Figure captions:
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1521

1522 Figure 1: Structural and geological maps of the studied area; a) Main structural features of Tunisia and
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1523 neighbouring regions (after Hallet, 2002; Bouaziz et al., 2002); b) Geological map of the studied area with

1524 locations of outcrop sections (modified after Raulin et al., 2011).

D

1525
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1526 Figure 2: Palaeogeographical map of the western Neotethys during the Late Triassic (modified from Golonka,

1527 2007; Marcoux et al., 1993; Stampfli and Borel, 2002).

1528
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1529 Figure 3: Lithostratigraphy of Triassic deposits of Tunisia and southeastern Algeria (modified from Bouaziz

1530 1995; Bourquin et al., 2010; Ben Ismaïl, 1982; Kamoun et al., 2001;Hamouche, 2006; Galeazzi et al., 2010)
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1531
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1532 Figure 4: Main carbonate facies in outcrops; a) Green marls (Mgr) of offshore environment alternating with

1533 peloidal dolomitic beds of the facies Dn. Note the upper undulated surfaces of beds and the internal aggrading

1534 HCS (Rehach formation, Rehach quarry section); b) Upper surface of a shelly bed interpreted as storm deposits

1535 in the facies Dn (Rehach formation, Rehach quarry section); c) Rhizocorallium jenense burrow in the shallow

1536 subtidal facies Dbp (Rehach formation, Rehach quarry section); d) Oolitic and sandy calcarenite of the Dos

1537 subfacies showing tidal criterions such as current ripples (Cr) draped by mud drapes (Md) and bidirectional cross

1538 beddings (Tb) containing reworked dolomitic clasts (Sc) (Rehach formation, Kef El Amba quarry); e) Dof

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1539 subfacies with current ripples (arrows) and rhythmic variations in the calcarenite (Cr) and mud drapes (Md) ratio

1540 interpreted as spring tides (St) and neap tides (Nt) cycles (Rehach formation, Kef El Amba quarry); f) Massive

1541 dolomite of the facies Dh with aligned centimetric vugs interpreted as the result of dissolution of evaporite

1542 nodules (Rehach formation, Rehach quarry section); g) Hardground with borings (B) at the top of a stromatolitic

1543 dolomite bed in the Ds facies (Rehach formation, Warjaijine section); h) Thick stromatolitic dolomites (facies

1544 Ds) with vugs of evaporite dissolution (arrows) (Rehach formation, Kef El Touareg section); i) Desiccation

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1545 polygons associated with stromatolites of the facies Ds (Rehach formation, Achaab Messaoudi section); j)

1546 Chaotic monogenic dolomitic breccia (facies Db) interpreted as collapse breccias. Note the red sandy matrix

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1547 between dolomite clasts (Rehach formation, Ouadi Hallouf); k) Lateral relationship between dolomitic breccias

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1548 (Db) and stromatolitic dolomites (Ds). Breccia is the result of the break of algal mats by dissolution of evaporites

1549 and collapse without transport (Messaoudi formation, Achaab, Rijijilah section); l) Tepee structures

1550 characterized by megapolygons with buckled margins (facies Sdm). The sediment corresponds to a sandy

1551
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dolomite with algal mats. Circled hammer for scale (Mhira formation, Achaab Messaoudi section).
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1552

1553 Figure 5: Main carbonate microfacies. a) Peloidal and bioclastic packstone of the facies Dn (Ras3 sample, plane-
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1554 polarized light, Rehach formation, Achaab Messaoudi section); b) Peloidal grainstone (Dbp facies) with

1555 extensive residual intergranular porosity (in blue) (RIJ-RE2 sample, plane-polarized light, Rehach formation,
D

1556 Rijijilah section); c) Coprolithes (arrows) in the Dbp facies (RE-CS2 sample, plane-polarized light, Rehach
TE

1557 formation, Rehach quarry section); d) Dolomitized oolitic and bioclastic (B: bivalve; G: gastropod) grainstone of

1558 the facies Do with a significant intergranular porosity (RQ5 sample, plane-polarized light, Rehach formation,
EP

1559 Rehach quarry section); e) Same facies that in picture d with a high content in subangular quartz grains (B:

1560 Bivalve; G: gastropod) (ST4 sample, plane-polarized light, Rehach formation, Sidi Stout section); f) Grainstone
C

1561 with ooids (arrows) alternating with laminated algal mats in the Do facies (RE-CS3 sample, plane-polarized
AC

1562 light, Rehach formation, Rehach quarry section), g) Homogeneous idiotopic dolomite of the Dh facies with

1563 molds of shells filled by dickite (KAF9 sample, plane-polarized light, Rehach formation, Kef Touareg section);

1564 h) Dissolution vug filled by dickite in homogeneous idiotopic dolomite (Dh facies) (KAF-RE2 sample, cross-

1565 polarized light, Rehach formation, Kef Touareg section); i) Dissolution vug in the Dh facies with calcite pendant

1566 cement (pink) precipitated during vadose diagenesis (KAS-AY3 sample, plane-polarized light, Rehach

1567 formation, Achaab Messaoudi section); j) Fenestral structure between algal mats in stromatolitic dolomite of the

1568 Ds facies. Note the extensive porosity due to the fenestral vugs (KAS-AY2 sample, plane-polarized light,

53
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
1569 Rehach formation, Achaab Messaoudi section); k) Dolomite rhombs with dissolved cores (in blue) in the Db

1570 facies. Dedolomitization is probably due to dissolution by aggressive meteoric waters below surfaces of

1571 prolongated subaerial exposure (MOG3 sample, plane-polarized light, Mogor formation, Mogor section); l)

1572 Fracture infill below megapolygons of the facies Sdm. The matrix (Mx) is recrystallised as microspar and

1573 fracture is mainly filled by mammilary radiaxial calcite (Rc) (sensu Assereto and Kendall, 1977); The last stage

1574 of cementation consists of fibrous pendant cements formed in a vadose environment (RAS7 sample, plane-

PT
1575 polarized light, Mhira formation, Achaab Messaoudi section).

1576

RI
1577 Figure 6: Main siliciclastic and evaporitic facies; a) Stacking of storm washover deposits (facies Dg) on lagoonal

SC
1578 stromatolitic dolomite (Ds). Storm deposits are characterized by erosional basal surfaces (Es) and a positive

1579 vertical grading with angular oblique laminations (Zerzour formation, Zerzour section); b) Alternation of

1580 stromatolitic gypsum (sensu Peryt, 2001) (Stg), nodular anhydrite (Ns) and fibrous gypsum (Fg) in the facies Ev

1581
U
(Messaoudi formation, Zerzour section); c) Rosette gypsum in red shales of the Fre facies (Mhira formation,
AN
1582 Sebkhet Leguine section); d) Gypsified rootlets (arrows) in the continental evaporitic flat facies Fre (Mhira

1583 formation, Sebkhet Leguine section); e) Poorly sorted conglomerate with sandstone boulders (Sb), and
M

1584 subangular dolomite and basement pebbles in the facies Gm. Db = brecciated dolomite, Mx = matrix (Moghor

1585 formation, Moghor section); f) Red silty shales (Fl facies) overlain by microconglomeratic sandstones (Sg facies)
D

1586 through an erosional surface (Es). The circled hammer is 33 cm long (Kef El Amba 2section); g) Climbing
TE

1587 ripples in fine grained sandstones of the facies Fl (Touareg formation, Kef Touareg section); h) Trough cross

1588 bedding in conglomerates and sandstones of the facies Sg. Note the occurrence of an erosional surface (Es)
EP

1589 between conglomerates and sandstones. The basal surface of the channel (Bc) is erosive on alluvial shales (Fl)

1590 (Kef El Amba 2 section); i) Sigmoidal cross bedding in sandstones of the Std facies (Touareg formation, Rijijilah
C

1591 section); j) Thin mud drapes (white arrows) associated with small current ripples (black arrow) in the bottomset
AC

1592 of sigmoidal cross beddings (facies Std) (Touareg formation, Rijijilah section).

1593

1594 Figure 7: Correlation diagram in the J. Rehach area.

1595

1596 Figure 8: Sedimentological features of Rehach dolomites. a) Complete shallowing upward semi cycle with the

1597 vertical evolution of facies in the Rehach formation of the Achaab Messaoudi section; b) Lag of red dolomitic

1598 clasts at the base of the Touareg formation (Rejijilah section); c) Parasequences from shallow lagoonal to

54
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
1599 intertidal stromatolites in the upper part of the Rehach Fm. Note the red colored surfaces (arrows) often

1600 containing microscopic rootlets (Rehach quarry section); d) Multicolored shales below a carbonate paleosoil

1601 (arrow). The upper surface corresponds to the sequence boundary of the sequence RM3 (Rehach quarry section).

1602

1603 Figure 9: Stacking pattern diagrams of the Kef El Galala and Kef El Amba sections.

1604

PT
1605 Figure 10: Upper part of the Aachab El Messaoudi section and field distribution of the Kronab conglomerates

1606 between Rehach dolomites and the Mhira Fm. in the Aachab El Messaoudi and Beni Ahmed area.

RI
1607

SC
1608 Figure 11: Correlation diagram in the North Dahar.

1609

1610 Figure 12: Panorama of the Sidi Stout unconformity in the Sidi Stout Bhyira area. Tilted lower Triassic

1611
U
siliciclastic strata are truncated and unconformably covered by upper Triassic dolomites.
AN
1612

1613 Figure 13: Key surfaces in the North Dahar area; a) Flooding characterized by a thin bed of brecciated dolomites
M

1614 (Db) above a transgression surface (TS) in the alluvial fan conglomerate (Gm) of the Mogor section.; b) Surface

1615 of prolongated subaerial exposure in the Ouarjajine section characterized by a hematitic crust at the top of a
D

1616 highly brecciated dolomite.

TE

1617

1618 Figure 14: Location map of studied outcrops and subsurface transects 1 and 2.
EP

1619

1620 Figure 15: Correlation diagram between the J. Rehach outcrops and the Garaet El Atsel 1 well.
C

1621
AC

1622 Figure 16: Geometries and sequence stratigraphy of Upper Triassic and Lower Jurassic deposits along the

1623 transect 1.

1624

1625 Figure 17: Geometries and sequence stratigraphy of Upper Triassic and Lower Jurassic deposits along the

1626 transect 2; a) southern part of the transect; b) northern part of the transect in the vicinity of the Tebaga of

1627 Medenine.

1628

55
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
1629 Figure 18: Model of tectonosedimentary evolution of Central and Southern Tunisia between the Carnian and the

1630 Pliensbachian.

1631

1632 Figure 19: Sketchs of possible stratigraphic evolutions of Upper Norian to Rhaetian deposits in the Ghadames

1633 basin. a) Stratigraphic evolution in a case of total draining of the basin; b) Stratigraphic evolution in the case of a

1634 normal flooding of Rhaetian salts on Norian shales without draining and exposure of the basin. In this case

PT
1635 exposure on uplifted area can be correlated with a transgressive surface without lowstand deposits during an

1636 increase of the subsidence in the basin. See text for explanations.

RI
1637

SC
1638 Figure 20: Synthesis diagram of sequential and geodynamic evolution of neighbouring regions with stratigraphic

1639 location of main unconformities.

1640

1641
U
AN
1642
M
D
TE
C EP
AC

56
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
Section Name

Base Top

Latitude Longitude Latitude Longitude

Moghor 33°21'05.17"N 10°11'39.64"E 33°20'55.22''N 10°11'32.13''E

Wadi Hallouf 33°18'51.39"N 10°13'17.86"E 33°18'53.79"N 10°13'11.22"E

Sidi Stout 2 33°18'56.42"N 10°13'59.9"E 33°18'54.47"N 10°13'58.38"E

Sidi Stout 1 33°18'40.45"N 10°14'13.90"E 33°18'35.94"N 10°14'19.87"E

PT
Kef El Anba I 33°16'22.06''N 10°18'13.3''E 33°16'20.2''N 10°18'05.5''E

Kef El Anba II 33°16'25.24"N 10°17'0.52"E 33°16'38.74"N 10°17'3.49 "E

RI
Ouarjajin 33°14'50.9''N 10°19'39.1''E 33°14'52.2''N 10°19'33.4''E

Rijijilah I 33° 0'18.04"N 10°42'59.89"E 33° 0'26.63 "N 10°43'1.56"E

SC
Rijijilah II 32°59'56.86"N 10°43'24.01"E 32°59'51.3 2"N 10°43'17.93"E

Rijijilah III 33° 0'6.67"N 10°43'37.00"E 33° 0'0.88 "N 10°43'36.29"E

Rijijilah IV 32°58'50.40"N 10°44'47.01"E 32°58'55.8 2"N 10°44'50.73"E

U
Shabat El Zitouna 32°57'9.07"N 10°46'58.89"E 32°57' 6.00"N 10°46'54.64"E
AN
Kasbat El Drina 32°59'7.26"N 10°36'59.24"E 32°59'3. 66"N 10°36'59.45"E

Rehach quarry 32°56'55.16"N 10°50'46.64"E 32°56'35. 39"N 10°50'18.93"E

Kef El Touareg I 32°57'32.71"N 10°53'0.28"E 32°57'2 6.16"N 10°52'33.77"E

M

Kef El Touareg II 32°57'21.59"N 10°52'54.21"E 32°57 '14.27"N 10°52'50.55"E

Ksar Rehach 32°54'30.23"N 10°57'15.18"E 32°54'30.50 "N 10°57'9.10"E

D

Achaab El Messaoudi 32°56'53.05''N 10°44'49.97''E 3 2°56'42.90"N 10°44'47.89"E

Beni Ahmed I 32°55'18.22''N 10°45'22.2''E 32°55'16. 50"N 10°45'23.05"E

TE

Beni Ahmed II 32°55'46.3''N 10°45'51.2''E ____________ ____________

Ksar Mhiri 32°52'25.8''N 10°49'24.8''E 32°52'26.09" N 10°49'25.74"E

EP

Sabkhat El Guine I 32°47'52.5''N 10°52'18.3''E 32°4 7'29.5''N 10°52'48.1''E

Sabkhat El Guine II 32°46'20.9''N 10°50'41.0''E 32° 46'18.24"N 10°50'38.30"E

Galib El Zarzour 32°54'18.5''N 10°43'43.1''E 32°54' 17.83"N 10°43'27.68"E

C

Galib Limesane 33° 1'29.08"N 10°39'7.47"E 33°01'27. 7''N 10°39'09.6''E

AC

Kef El Galalah 32°57'42.1''N 10°48'08.2''E 32°57'47 .5''N 10°48'27.2''E

Zmilet Haber 32°56'25.9''N 10°40'39.1''E 32°56'19.0 ''N 10°40'28.9''E

 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
Lithofacies type Lithology, texture and Sedimentary structures Biogenic structures Macro-paleontological Interpretations
diagenetic features content
Carbonate facies:
(Mgr) Green Marls Very fine and locally nodular Diffuse bioturbation Bivalves, echinoids, rare Lower offshore
marls ______ ammonoids and nautiloids
(Nautilus Klipsteini),
nothosaurian teeth and
conodonts
(Dn) Nodular peloidal dolomite Yellow to beige nodular beds Thin shell beds (5 cm thick) Intensive diffuse bioturbation, Clasts of brachiopods, oysters, Storm dominated upper
of dolomitized peloidal and rare preserved Thalassinoides sea-urchin spines and crinoids offshore
packstone hummocky cross stratifications burrows
(Dbp) Bioclastic peloidal Grainstone to packstone Massive beds of peloidal Thalassinoides and Clasts of oysters, echinoid Wave dominated shoreface
dolomite dolomite and wave ripples Rhizocorallium jenense spines, crinoid articles, and
burrows brachiopods.Crenulated
coprolites
(Do) Oolitic and bioclastic
dolomite
Dos subfacies Dolomitized bioclastic and Current ripples, herring bone Bivalve shells and gastropods Tide dominated oolitic shoal

PT
oolitic grainstone. Mudstone stratifications, horizontal and ______
alternations low angle stratifications,
mud drapes (flaser bedding)
Dof subfacies Oolitic packstone to Spring and neap tide cycles, Scarce algal mats laminations Scarce bivalve shells Oolitic tidal flat
grainstone. current ripples and mud
Mudstone alternations drapes (wavy and lenticular
bedding)

RI
(Dh) Homogeneous vuggy Dolospar with an idiotopic Dissolved bivalve shells Subtidal hypersaline lagoon
dolomite texture, moldic porosity and ______ ______
vugs of evaporite dissolution
filled by dickite or
microstalactitic cements
(Ds) Stromatolitic dolomite Dolomitized peloidal Fenestrae texture, desiccation Agglutinated stromatolites and Intertidal to lower supratidal
______

SC
packstones, vugs of evaporite cracks Gastrochaenolites borings inner ramp
dissolution filled by dickite or
micro-stalactitic cements
(Db) Dolomitic breccias Clast supported dolomitic Stromatolites Collapse breccia, prolongated
breccia with sandy matrix. ______ ______ subaerial exposure
Local intercalations of chicken
wire, enterolithic and fibrous
gypsum

U
(Dg) Graded oolitic dolomites Dolomitized oolitic and Sharp erosive base and Clasts of oysters, echinoid Washover deposits
bioclastic grainstone to vertical normal grading. Planar ______ spines, crinoid articles
packstone intercalated in Ev oblique and horizontal
facies laminations
AN
Evaporitic facies:
(Ev) Evaporite and
stromatolite
alternations
Evs subfacies Chicken wire nodules or Stromatolites Subtidal-hypersaline lagoon
enterolithic beds of anhydrite ______ ______ and sebkha
M

alternating with selenite

gypsum
Evm subfacies Yellow and green silty marls Stromatolites Subtidal-hypersaline lagoon
with twined gypsum layers ______ ______
(Fre) Evaporitic red shales Red shales with beds of Petrified rootlets in lenticular Continental playa lake and
twined, nodular (chicken wire) ______ gypsum ______ continental sabkha
D

or lenticular gypsum
Siliciclastic
facies:
(Gm) Massive conglomerates Matrix supported polygenic Debris flow deposits, lack of Alluvial fan
TE

conglomerates. Angular to tractive current structures ______ ______

subrounded clasts of Permian
reef, dolomites, sandstones
and metamorphic basement
rocks.
(Fl) Red silty shales Red to brown and locally Type A climbing ripples in fine Alluvial plain
green silty shales. grained sandstones ______ ______
EP

Intercalations of fine grained

sandstones
(Sg) Graded sandstones Polygenic clast support Basal erosive surface overlain Braided channel
conglomerates and coarse to by graded sequences of ______ ______
medium grained sandstones conglomerates and
sandstones with trough cross-
bedding.
(Std) Cross stratified Medium grained quartzarenite Sigmoidal cross-bedding, Scarce Skolithos burrows Fluvial tidally influenced
C

sandstones and thin silty or clay layers small ripples and silt or clay ______
drapes on the toe of cross-
bedded bedforms. Few clues
of palaeo-current reversals
AC

(Sdm) Dolosandstone with Dolomitic sandstone and Tepee structures and Gyrophyllites burrows Supratidal to upper intertidal
megaplygons green shales desiccation cracks ______
 a
Sicily
ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
Tunis

Tellian Thrust belt

Pelagian Sea

TUNISIA

North South axis

No
rth
Gr
ab
en
Fa
ult
So
uth
ern
Gr

PT
Jef ab
South Atlas fault far en
a fa Gulf of Gabes Fa
ult ult
sys
tem
Subratah basin
b

RI
Medenine
Tataouine

SC
Tripoli
Talemzane Arch

ALGERIA

U
LIBYA

Tri
Berkine Basin
AN
Ghadames Basin

po
li-T
ibi
sti
Normal faults
M

Thrust faults

Up
Masked faults

lift
Paleozoic arch
100 Km Gargarf Aarch Country
D

Boundaries

10°0'0"E 10°30'0"E 11°0'0"E 11°30'0"E

b
Jebel Tebaga 0 Km 20
TE

Jeff Jeffara plain Mediterranean sea

North Dahar ara
fau
lts s
EP

Medenine yste
m
Ouarjaijin
Dahar Plateau
C

Ben Gardane
AC

Kirchaou
33°0'0"N

Tataouine
Libya

Ksar Mehira

Jebel Rehach

Sidi Toui

32°30'0"N

Undifferentiated
Permian LateTriassic (Carnian) Lias Normal fault
Cretaceous
Undifferentiated
Lower Triassic Late Triassic (Norian to Rhaetian) Quarternary Synthetic normal fault
Jurassic
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT

PT
North
PB
AM

RI
CM
Iberian
Massif

SC
Atlantic rift

U
AN
Ks

Sicanian
Basin SP
M

Jeffara
Basin
D

NEOTETHYS
Ghadames
Basin
TE
EP

Emerged lands Deltaic and shallow Suture

marine clastics Shallow carbonate platform
C

Fluvial and lacustrine Fault

clastics Marine evaporites Deep basin above CCD
Spreading ridge
AC

Margino-littoral Deep basin below CCD

Present day coastline
evaporites and clastics Oceanic subduction

AM = Armorican Massif CM = Central Massif Ks = Kirsehir PB = Paris Basin SP = Serbo-Pelagonian terrane

 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT

CENTRAL TUNISIA (outcrops) ALGERIA

SOUTH TUNISIA (subsurface)
North Dahar (Ben Ismaïl, 1982;
Jebel Rehach (Kammoun et al., 2001; Central Algeria (subsurface) Zarzaitine area
Hamouche, 2006)
(Bouaziz, 1995) Bouaziz, 1995) (Galeazzi et al, 2010) (Bourquin et al, 2010)

B Horizon B Horizon B Horizon

PT
Pliensbachian Zmilet Haber Pliensbachian

LIAS

? Hettangian

RI
BHIR S3
Larich BHIR
D2
?
ZERZOUR
STUDIED INTERVAL

SC
S4
Rhaetian
MESSAOUDI

Rhaetian
Carnian or

TAGS
Rhaetian Keskessa S3 salt
? ?
to early
Liassic?

U
? ?
KR
L.T.U.
Emzab D2
AN
UPPER MF Norian
TRIASSIC Norian
MHIRA
S.S.U. Djeneien S4 salt
Norian ?

TAC
?
M

REHACH Carnian
Carnian TAC Carnian TAC
?
TOUAREG
D

Carnian
MEK.
KIRCHAOU

TAGI
TAGI TAGI
TE

Ladinian Ladinian Ladinian Ladinian

RAS HAMIA

MYO.
MIDDLE Lmst
OULED CHEBBI

TRIASSIC Anisian
CHEBBI
EP

OULED
CHEBBI
OULED

Anisian Anisian
?
BIR EL JAJA

BIR EL
JAJA
C

LOWER
TRIASSIC
Hercynian unconformity
AC

PALEOZOIC
Coarse sandstones Red or multicolored Green marine shales Halite Anhydrite Dolomites
Stratigraphic gap to conglomerates alluvial shales

Sandstones Oolitic dolomites Dolomitic breccia Limestones Angular unconformity

Direct dating with foraminifera Direct dating with ammonites Direct dating with pollens Direct dating with vertebrates Direct dating with echinoids

L.T.U. = Late Triassic Unconformity S.S.U. = Sidi Stout Unconformity MEK. = Mekraneb Fm. KR = Kronab Fm. MYO. Lmst = Myophoria limestones MF = Mougor Fm.
TAGI = Trias Argilo Gréseux inférieur TAC = Trias Argilo carbonaté TAGS = Trias Argilo Gréseux supérieur
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT

PT
RI
U SC
AN
M
D
TE
EP
C
AC
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT

PT
RI
U SC
AN
M
D
TE
EP
C
AC
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT

PT
RI
U SC
AN
M
D
TE
EP
C
AC
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT

SE Zerzour NW
Metres

Ar M W P G R
Ar Sf Sm Sg Mc C

Zerzour Fm.
Rhaetian

10

PT
0

Rhaetian
? unconformity

RI
Sebkhet Leguine
Metres

Ar M W P G R
Ar Sf Sm Sg Mc C

Maximum flooding surface

?

SC
Mhira Fm. 0
Transgression surface
Subaerial exposure
Norian

Beni Ahmed Unconformity of base level fall

Metres

Ar M W P G
Ar Sf Sm Sg Mc C
R
Tidal ravinement surface
10

Beni Mhira Flood plain (Fl)

U
Achaab El Messaoudi
Metres

Ar M W P G R
Ar Sf Sm Sg Mc C

Rehach quarry Fluvial sandstones and conglomerates (Sg)

Metres

Ar M W P G R
Metres

Ar Sf Sm Sg Mc C

10
Kronab Fm. Ar M W P G
Ar Sf Sm Sg Mc C
R

? 0
Estuarine sandstones (Std)
80 Middle
AN
90
frequency
sequences Middle Offshore marls (Mgr)
frequency
0
? North Beni sequences Subtidal peloidal dolomite (Dn + Dbp)
70
Ahmed quarry
High ? 80
RM6 Lagoonal dolomite with vugs (Dh)
? RM4 frequency
Metres

sequences Kef El Galala ? Ar M W P G R Intertidal stromatolites (Ds)

Metres

Ar Sf Sm Sg Mc C

Ar M W P G R
RM5 Bhir Fm.
M

Ar Sf Sm Sg Mc C

80
60
70 Evaporitic playa lake (Fre)
RS11
Salina evaporites (Ev)
Si
0

RS10
50 RS9 70
Oolitic and bioclastic tidally dominated shoal (Do)
60
RM3
D

RS8
Carnian

40 60
50
Rehach Fm. RS7
TE

Metres

Rejijilah 3
Ar M W P G R
Ar Sf Sm Sg Mc C

40
30 50 Rejijilah SE 2
40
Metres

Ar M W P G R

RS6 Ar SfSmSgMcC

50

30
20 RM2 40
Rejijilah
Metres

30
Ar M W P G R
EP

Ar Sf Sm Sg Mc C

40
RS5 Galib Lamsen SE 2
30
20
Metres

Ar M W P G R
Ar Sf Sm Sg Mc C
30
10
20 Messaoudi Fm.
Kef Touareg
Metres

Ar M W P G
Ar Sf Sm Sg Mc C
R RS4 30
30

Galib Lamsen SE
50
20
Metres

Ar M W P G R
Ar Sf Sm Sg Mc C
10
0 20
C

10
High RS3
30
frequency 20
20
Carnian

sequences
Touareg Fm. 40
RM1 RS2 10
10
0 Galib Lamsen
AC

Metres

0
Ar M W P G R
Ar Sf Sm Sg Mc C

RS2 10
20
10

30
0
Mekraneb Fm. 0
10

RS1
10
0
0

20

0
Ladinian

Kirchaou Fm.
10

0
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT

PT
RI
U SC
AN
M
D
TE
EP
C
AC
 Kef El Galala
Depositional environments

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT

Subtidal protected lagoon

Formations

Prolongated exposure
Inner intertidal lagoon
Lower offshore
Upper offshore
Metres

Continental
Shoreface

Supratidal
Ar M W P G R
Ar Fs Ms Cs Pb Cb
60

Shoal
Sequences

Paraseq. High Middle

frequency frequency

Si

Paleosoil RS9 RM4

Paleosoil

50

RS8

PT
RM3

40
Kef El Amba
Depositional environments

Subtidal protected lagoon

RI
Prolongated exposure
Inner intertidal lagoon
RS7

Lower offshore
Upper offshore
Formations

Continental
Shoreface

Supratidal
Rehach

Shoal
SC
Ages
Sequences

Metres
30 Ar M W P G R Paraseq. High frequency
Middle
Ar Sf Sm Sg Mc C frequency
Pliens. B
horiz.
?
RS6 DS4 DM2
Sinemurian ?

U
? DS3
20
AN
20 ?

RM2
Hettangian ?

Messaoudi

DS2 DM1
RS5
M

?
?
10 10
Rhaetian ?

DS1
D

RS4
Touareg

Sidi Stout unconformity

Chebbi
Anisian

Ouled
TE

RS3 RM1
0 0

Flood plain (Fl) Fluvial sandstones (Std) Offshore marls (Mgr) Lagoonal dolomite with vugs (Dh) Dolomite breccia (Db)
Bioclastic peloidal dolomite (Dbp) Intertidal stromatolites (Ds) Nodular peloidal dolomite (Dn) Evaporitic green shales (Evm)
C EP
AC
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT

Formations
Achaab El Messaoudi
Middle
frequency
Ages N

Metres
sequences
Cl M W P G R
Depositional
Messaoudi Cl Fs Ms Cs Pb Cb environment
Shallow Progressive
Rhaetian

evaporitic lagoon
and oolitic
pinch
tidal flat out of Rehach
(Db and Dof) Mhira Fm. dolomites
?
Regional
20 soutwestward

PT
dipping
Continental
?
Norian

sebkha
RM5 (Fre)
Mhira

RI
Messaoudi

SC
Intertidal to oolites Mhira Fm.
10 supratidal
and
RM4 lagoon (Sdm)
dolomite
breccias

U
?
Braided fluvial
Kronab

channels (Sg)
and alluvial
AN
shales (Fl)
RM3
Carnian

Rehach

Oolitic shoal (Do) 700 m

M

0
Physical surfaces : Sequence stratigraphy surfaces :
Relative sea-level fall unconformity Subaerial exposure and transgression surface merged
Erosional surface
Transgression surface Maximum flooding surface
D

Dolomite Sandstone clast supported conglomerate with sandy matrix Fibrous gypsum Green silty shales
TE

Red shales Oolitic packstone Dolomite breccias Current ripples Horizontal and low angle laminations

Lenticular gypsum Gastropods Gyrophyllites burrows Dessiccation cracks Tepee structures

C EP
AC
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT

NW SE

PT
Mougor Ouarjajin
Metres

Metres
Ar M W P G R
Ar Sf Sm Sg Mc C Ar M W P G R
Ar Sf Sm Sg Mc C

Sidi Stout 2

RI
Sidi Stout

Metres
20 Ouadi Hallouf Kef El Amba 2 Kef El Amba 1

Metres
Ar M W P G R
HF MF
Metres

Ar Sf Sm Sg Mc C
Ar M W P G R
HF MF
B Horizon
Ar Sf Sm Sg Mc C

Ar M W P G R
DS5
Pliens. DS5 20

Metres
SC
Ar Sf Sm Sg Mc C
20

Metres
Ar M W P G R
? Ar M W P G
Ar Sf Sm Sg Mc C
R

Ar Sf Sm Sg Mc C DM2
DM2 DS4
20 Bhir DS4

10

U
DS2
10 DS3
10

Carnian or Liassic ?
10

AN
20 DM1
20

DS1
10
DS2
0

M
Tsu DM1 Messaoudi
0
0
N 0
10
10

Maximum flooding surface DS1 Sidi Stout Unconformity

1

D
0
Transgression surface
2 3

TE
Medenine Subaerial exposure
4

Anisian
Fluvial sandstones (Sg) 0 0
5 Flood plain (Fl)
EP
Oolitic and bioclastic tidally dominated shoal (Do)
Permian 6 7
Triassic Dolomitic breccia (Db)
Liassic Alluvial fan conglomerates (Gm)
10 Km
C

Bioturbated Lagoonal dolomite (Dh)

Intertidal stromatolites (Ds)
1: Moghor 4: Sidi Stout Pebble lag
AC

2: Wadi Hallouf 5: Kef El Amba 2 Hypersaline lagoon (Ev)

6: Kef El Amba 1 Trough cross bedding
3: Sidi Stout Behyria
7: Ouarjijin
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT

PT
RI
U SC
AN
M
D
TE
EP
C
AC
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT

PT
RI
U SC
AN
M
D
TE
EP
C
AC
 12°30'0"E

13°30'0"E
11°30'0"E
7°30'0"E

8°30'0"E

12°0'0"E

13°0'0"E

14°0'0"E
2150000

2200000

2250000

2300000

2550000

2600000

2650000

2700000

2750000

2800000
7°0'0"E

8°0'0"E
34°0'0"N 34°0'0"N

3450000 3450000

10°30'0"E
9°30'0"E

10°0'0"E

11°0'0"E
9°0'0"E
33°30'0"N 33°30'0"N

N Jef
No far
a fa
20 Km 1.1 rth Medenine ult
sys
3400000

Da tem
2.1ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT r ha

1.2
2.2 Kirchaou

33°0'0"N 33°0'0"N

2.3 Tataouine
Je
3350000

be
2.4 1.3 lR
eh
ac
h

PT
2.5
1.4

RI
3300000
32°30'0"N 32°30'0"N

2.6 T1

SC
Tunisia

U
2.7

AN
3250000

32°0'0"N 32°0'0"N

M
2.8

D
2.9 3200000

31°30'0"N
TE
2.10 31°30'0"N
EP

2.11
Libya
C

3150000
AC

2.12
31°0'0"N 31°0'0"N

Algeria
Permian
2.13 Middle Triassic 3100000

Carnian
Norian to Rhaetian
30°30'0"N 30°30'0"N

Late Triassic and Lias

undifferentiated
Hettangian 3050000

T2
2.14
30°0'0"N 30°0'0"N

3000000 3000000

29°30'0"N 29°30'0"N

2950000 2950000

29°0'0"N 29°0'0"N

2900000 2900000

28°30'0"N 28°30'0"N
2850000 2850000

2800000 2800000
28°0'0"N 28°0'0"N

2750000 2750000

27°30'0"N 27°30'0"N

2700000 2700000

27°0'0"N 27°0'0"N
7°0'0"E

2150000

7°30'0"E

2200000

8°0'0"E

2250000

8°30'0"E

2300000

9°0'0"E

2350000

9°30'0"E

2400000

10°0'0"E

2450000

10°30'0"E

2500000

11°0'0"E

2550000

11°30'0"E

2600000

12°0'0"E

2650000
12°30'0"E

2700000
13°0'0"E

13°30'0"E
2750000

14°0'0"E
2800000
 2.8 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
Middle frequency Low frequency

Depth GR_LCPN RDEEP_LCPN

sequences sequences
Achaab El Messaoudi

B Horizon
1m:1000m
1920.0
0 API 200 0 ohm.m 45

1940.0

RM19 MS4 Formations Sequences

Metres
1960.0

1980.0
Middle
RM18
2000.0
frequency Ar M W P G R
120

PT
Messaoudi

Bhir (s.l.)
?
2020.0

RM17
2040.0

Mhira RM6 110

RI
Tepee surface
RM16
RM5
2060.0

RM15
2080.0

Kronab 100

RM14

SC
2100.0

2120.0
RM13
RM12
MS3 RM4 90

U
2140.0
Paleosoil
RM11 80

AN
2160.0

2180.0
RM10 S3 salt RM3 70

2200.0

M
2220.0
RM9 Rehach
60

Sidi Stout
2240.0
RM8
Unconformity

D
D2

RM2
2260.0 50

RM7

TE
2280.0

Ar M W P G
Ar Fs Ms Cs Pb Cb
R
40
2300.0

MS2 ?

RM6 RM5
EP
2320.0

RM4

Metres
60

Si

30
Paleosoil

Touareg
50

2340.0

40
RM3
S4 salt

2360.0
30

RM1
C

RM5 20

RM2
20

Mekraneb
10

2380.0

0
AC

RM1
2400.0

Kirchaou 10

2420.0
RM4

2440.0
Evaporites and dolomite alternations (shallow subtidal to intertidal)
MS1
Sandstone (fluvial and/or estuarine)
2460.0

RM3 Evaporitic clays with dolomite beds (shallow subtidal)

2480.0
TAC

Marine dolomite (inner carbonate ramp) Red evaporitic shales (Playa lake)
evaporites
Lower

2500.0

RM2 Offshore green shales Rhaetian and Liassic halite

2520.0

RM1 Anhydrite and Gypsum (salina) Carnian (and Norian?) halite (restricted salina)
2540.0

Gypcrete Relative sea-level fall unconformity

2560.0

Subaerial exposure Transgressive surface Maximum flooding surface

 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
NW SE
1.1

1.4
DOGGER
?
1.2 Depth
1m:1000m
GR_LCPN
0
DT_LCPN

US/F 200 0
NEUTAPI_LCPN

NAPI 3000
RDEEP_LCPN

50 GAPI 200 0 OHMM 100

RSHAL_LCPN
Depth GR_LCPN DT_LCPN RDEEP_LCPN
0 OHMM 25

1m:1000m 0 GAPI 100 0 US/F 200 0 OHMM

RSHAL_LCPN
2000
1.3 60.0

0 OHMM 2000

PT
Depth GR_LCPN NEUTCPS_LCPN RDEEP_LCPN 80.0
1m:1000m 0
960.0
GAPI 200 100 CPS 300 0 OHMM 700 RM19 B Horizon
RSHAL_LCPN
100.0

PERMIAN 0 OHMM 50 MS4

120.0
980.0 100.0
RM18
Tertiary incision

RI
140.0
120.0

1000.0 160.0
140.0

RM17
180.0
160.0
1020.0

SC
200.0 Bhir (s.l.)
180.0

220.0 RM16
Tebaga of Medenine 1040.0
200.0

240.0
220.0

RM15
1060.0 260.0

U
240.0

280.0
260.0
1080.0
RM14

AN
300.0
280.0

320.0
RM13
MS3
PERMIAN 300.0

340.0
Zerzour
320.0

360.0
RM12

M
340.0

380.0

Surface of subaerial exposure 360.0

400.0
RM11
380.0

420.0

D
Relative sea-level fall unconformity 400.0

440.0 RM10
420.0

TE
460.0
Transgressive surface 440.0
S3 salt
480.0

Maximum flooding surface

460.0

500.0
RM9
480.0

520.0

Marine dolomites (inner carbonate ramp)

EP
500.0

540.0
520.0
RM8
Offshore green shales 540.0
560.0
D2
580.0
C

560.0

Anhydrite and gypsum (salina) 600.0 RM7

MS2
580.0

620.0
AC

Evaporitic green to red shales (salina) 600.0

640.0 RM6
40 m 620.0

Carnian to Norian Halite (restricted salina) 20 640.0

660.0
RM5 S4 salt
680.0

0 660.0

Rhaetian to Liassic Halite (restricted salina) 700.0

RM4

Mekraneb L. evaporites Rehach

720.0
Red evaporitic shales (continental sebkha and playa lake)
MIDDLE TRIASSIC 740.0

Paleosoil 760.0
RM3 MS1
780.0
TAC

Evaporites and dolomite alternations (shallow subtidal to intertidal) 800.0

RM2
820.0

Sandstone (fluvial and/or estuarine) 840.0 RM1

S ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT Low Middle 2.5
N
2.13 frequency frequency
2.14 2.7 2.6 Depth GR NEUTCPS RDEEP
Depth GR DT NEUTAPI 2.12 2.10 2.9 2.8 sequences sequences 1m:1000m 0 API 200 100 1/s 400 0 ohm.m

RSHAL
250

GR DT
Depth
1m:1000m 0 API 100 100 us/m 500
1m:1000m 0 API 150 100 us/m 550 0 API 3000
Depth GR RDEEP 2.11 GR_LCPN DT_LCPN RDEEP_LCPN Depth GR_LCPN RDEEP_LCPN Depth GR RDEEP 1380.0
0 ohm.m 30

B Horizon
NPHI GR DT NPHI DRHO RDEEP Depth
1m:1000m 0 GR DT

B Horizon
1m:1000m 0 GAPI 150 0 OHMM 1000 Depth API 100 0 ohm.m 125 Depth
1m:1000m 0 API 200 0 ohm.m 45
-0.1 v/v_decimal 0.6 1920.0 Depth GR DT RSHAL 1m:1000m 0 GAPI 110 0 US/F 200 -0.1 V/V 0.6 -0.2 G/C3 0.2 0 OHMM 150000
1m:1000m 0
1880.0
GAPI 150 0 US/F 200 0 OHMM 500 1920.0 SP RSHAL 1m:1000m 0 GAPI 150 0 US/F 200

RHOB 1900.0
1860.0
1m:1000m 0 API 100 0 us/m 800 0 ohm.m 1700
RHOB RSHAL 1960.0
-80 mV -30 0 ohm.m 50
1400.0
0 g/cm3 3 1 G/C3 4 0 OHMM 2500
1860.0
1860.0 1940.0
1900.0
1680.0 1940.0
1880.0
1920.0 1980.0 1420.0
1880.0
1880.0
1920.0 1960.0
1700.0 1960.0
1940.0 1900.0
2000.0 1440.0
1900.0

1720.0 1980.0
1960.0 1920.0
1900.0
1940.0 1980.0

MS4 2020.0 RM18 1460.0

RM18
1920.0
1920.0
1960.0 2000.0
1740.0

Bhir (s.l.)
2000.0
1980.0 1940.0
2040.0 1480.0
1940.0 RM17

Bhir (s.l.)
1940.0
1980.0 2020.0
1760.0 2020.0
1500.0
2000.0 1960.0

1960.0
2060.0
RM17 1960.0
2000.0 2040.0
1780.0 2040.0
2020.0 1980.0
2080.0
1520.0 RM16
1980.0
RM16

PT
1980.0
2020.0 2060.0
1800.0 2060.0
2040.0 2000.0 1540.0
2100.0

2000.0
2040.0
RM15 2000.0 RM15
2080.0
1820.0 2080.0
2060.0
2020.0
1560.0
2120.0

RM14 2020.0

1840.0 2100.0
2080.0
2020.0
2060.0 2100.0
1580.0
RM14
2040.0

2040.0
2140.0
RM13 2040.0
RM13

RI
2080.0

1860.0 2120.0
2100.0
2060.0
2120.0

MS3 2160.0
RM12
1600.0

2060.0 2060.0
2100.0
2140.0
1880.0 2140.0 2120.0
2080.0
2180.0 RM11 1620.0
RM12
2080.0 2080.0
2120.0
2160.0
1900.0 2160.0 2140.0 1640.0
2100.0
2200.0

2100.0
RM11

SC
2100.0

S3 salt
2140.0
2180.0
1920.0 2180.0 1660.0
RM10
2160.0

S3 salt
2120.0
2220.0

2120.0 2120.0

1940.0 2200.0 2180.0

2140.0
2160.0
2200.0

2240.0
1680.0 RM10
2140.0 2140.0
2180.0
2220.0
2220.0 2200.0 1700.0
2160.0 2260.0

2160.0
2160.0
2200.0

2220.0
2240.0

RM9 1720.0
RM9

U
2240.0
2180.0 2280.0

2180.0
2220.0
2180.0
2260.0
2240.0
2260.0 1740.0
2200.0

2200.0
2240.0
2300.0
RM8 2200.0
1760.0
RM8

AN
2280.0
2260.0
2280.0

D2
2220.0 2320.0

2220.0
2220.0

D2
2280.0

2240.0
2260.0
2300.0
RM7 1780.0
2340.0

? 2260.0
2240.0
2280.0
2320.0
MS2
2360.0
2240.0
1800.0
RM7
2260.0
2300.0 2260.0
1820.0
2280.0
2340.0

2380.0
RM6

M
2280.0
2280.0

S4 salt
2320.0
2360.0
RM6 1840.0
2300.0
2300.0
2400.0

2300.0
RM5
2340.0

S4 salt
2380.0
1860.0
2320.0

TAGI
2420.0
2320.0
2360.0 2320.0
2400.0
1880.0

RM4

D
2340.0
2380.0
2440.0

RM5 2340.0
1900.0
2420.0

TAC
2460.0

2400.0 2360.0
1920.0
2440.0
RM3
UPPER DEVONIAN

TE
10°30'0"E

2480.0
11°30'0"E
7°30'0"E

8°30'0"E

9°30'0"E

10°0'0"E

12°0'0"E
11°0'0"E
7°0'0"E

8°0'0"E

9°0'0"E

2420.0 2380.0

TAGI 2460.0

2500.0 RM4
1940.0

2440.0 2400.0 1960.0

34°0'0"N 2480.0

2520.0

2460.0 MS1 2420.0

2500.0

2540.0

2440.0

EP
33°30'0"N 2520.0

Kef El Amba
2560.0

2460.0
CAMBRIAN
(outcrop) 2540.0
RM3

TAC
2.2 ª
2.1 ª
Organic shales (condensed deposits) UPPER DEVONIAN ? 2560.0
2580.0

2480.0
40 m
33°0'0"N
ª
2.3
2600.0
20
2.4
Marine dolomites (inner carbonate ramp) RM2 2500.0

C
ª
2.5 TAGI 2620.0

RM1
2520.0
0
Offshore green shales 2640.0
32°30'0"N
ª 2540.0

AC
2.6
Anhydrite and gypsum (salina) LOWER DEVONIAN 2660.0

ª 2.7
32°0'0"N
Evaporitic green to red shales (salina) CAMBRIAN Figure 17b
2.8
ª

ª 2.9
Carnian to Norian Halite (restricted salina)
TAGI
31°30'0"N
ª 2.10
2.11
Rhaetian to Liassic Halite (restricted salina) Surface of subaerial exposure
2.12 ª

31°0'0"N
Red evaporitic shales (continental sebkha and playa lake) Relative sea-level fall unconformity
2.13 ª
SILURIAN
Paleosoil
30°30'0"N
Transgressive surface
Evaporites and dolomite alternations (shallow subtidal to intertidal)
2.14 Maximum flooding surface
30°0'0"N Sandstone (fluvial and/or estuarine)
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT

2.5 2.4 Kef El Amba

S Depth
1m:1000m 0
GR
API 200 100
NEUTCPS
1/s 400 0
RDEEP
ohm.m 250
Depth RDEEP
2.3 2.2
Depth GR
2.1
DT RDEEP (outcrop)
N
1m:1000m 0 OHMM 5000
RSHAL GR RMICR
1m:1000m

1640.0
0 GAPI 100 40 US/F 100 0 OHMM 1000

0 ohm.m 30 1700.0 Depth GR DT RDEEP

1380.0 0 GAPI 150 0 OHMM 5000
1m:1000m 0 GAPI 200 0 US/F 200 0 OHMM 2000
GR DT
0 140 80 40

1720.0 1640.0 1660.0

1400.0
B Horizon

Metres
B Horizon
Ar M W P G R
Ar Sf Sm Sg Mc C

DM2
1740.0 1660.0 1680.0 20

1420.0 DM1
10

MS4

PT
1760.0 1680.0 1700.0 0

1440.0

RM18 1780.0 1700.0 1720.0

1460.0

1800.0 1720.0 1740.0

1480.0
Bhir (s.l.)

RM17

RI
1820.0 1740.0 1760.0
1500.0

1840.0 1760.0 1780.0

RM16 1520.0

1860.0 1800.0
1540.0
1780.0
Tebaga of

SC
RM15
1560.0
1880.0 1800.0 1820.0
Medenine
1900.0 1820.0 1840.0
Zerzour

RM14 1580.0

1920.0
1840.0
1600.0
MS3

U
RM13
1940.0
1860.0
1620.0
RM12 40 m

AN
1960.0
1640.0 1880.0
RM11
20
1980.0
1660.0 1900.0

0
S3 salt

2000.0
RM10 1680.0 1920.0

2020.0

M
1700.0 1940.0

2040.0
1720.0 1960.0
RM9 Rehach

2060.0
1740.0 1980.0

D
2080.0
1760.0
RM8
D2

2100.0
1780.0

TE
RM7 2120.0
PERMIAN
MS2 1800.0

2140.0

10°30'0"E

11°30'0"E
7°30'0"E

8°30'0"E

9°30'0"E

10°0'0"E

12°0'0"E
11°0'0"E
7°0'0"E

8°0'0"E

9°0'0"E
1820.0
RM6
2160.0
Marine dolomites (inner carbonate ramp) 34°0'0"N
34°0'0"N
1840.0
EP
S4 salt

RM5
2180.0
1860.0 Offshore green shales
33°30'0"N 33°30'0"N

2200.0
Kef El Amba
1880.0
(outcrop)
2.1
RM4 Anhydrite and gypsum (salina) ª

2220.0 33°0'0"N 2.2 ª

33°0'0"N
1900.0
ª
2.3
MS1
C

2.4
Evaporitic green to red shales (salina) ª
2.5
TAC

1920.0
RM3 32°30'0"N
32°30'0"N

CAMBRIAN
ª
2.6
AC

1940.0 Carnian to Norian Halite (restricted salina)

? 32°0'0"N
ª
2.7
32°0'0"N
1960.0
Rhaetian to Liassic Halite (restricted salina) ª2.8
ª 2.9

ª
31°30'0"N 2.10 31°30'0"N
2.11
Red evaporitic shales (continental sebkha and playa lake)
Figure 17a Surface of subaerial exposure
31°0'0"N
2.12 ª

31°0'0"N

Paleosoil 2.13 ª

Relative sea-level fall unconformity

30°30'0"N 30°30'0"N

Transgressive surface Evaporites and dolomite alternations (shallow subtidal to intertidal)

2.14
30°0'0"N 30°0'0"N

Maximum flooding surface Sandstone (fluvial and/or estuarine)

7°0'0"E

7°30'0"E

8°0'0"E

8°30'0"E

9°0'0"E

9°30'0"E

10°0'0"E

10°30'0"E

11°0'0"E

11°30'0"E

12°0'0"E
 S N
Rehach Fm.
a
Touareg Fm. Lower evaporites
Mekraneb Fm.

RM3
ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT RM3
Hercynian
unconformity
MS1
RM2
RM1 Talemzane Arch Permian

Silurian Cambrian
Devonian
Lower and middle Triassic

Paleosoils
b S4 salt

RM3
MS1
RM2
RM1

PT
Uplift of the northern margin of the basin

RI
and initiation of the Tabaga of Medenine

c
Kronab conglomerate
S4 salt Halite (lowstand deposits)

SC
MS2 RM5
RM4

MS1 RM3

RM2

U
RM1 AN
d S4 salt
Tepees
RM6
MS2
RM5
RM4
M

MS1 RM3

RM2
RM1
D
TE

Sidi Stout unconformity

e S3 salt (lower part) Mhira shales
MS3 RM9
RM8
EP

RM7
MS2 RM6
RM5
RM4

MS1 RM3
C

RM2
RM1
AC

Fluvial
S3 salt (upper part) incision
Bhir evaporites Zerzour dolomites (washover) Messaoudi dolomites (North Dahar)
f
MS4 RM18
RM11
to
MS3
RM17
RM10
RM9
RM8
RM7
MS2
RM6
RM5
RM4
MS1 RM3

RM2
RM1

Surface of subaerial exposure

Marine dolomites (inner carbonate ramp) Evaporitic green shales (salina) Red shales (playa to fluvial)
Transgressive surface
Offshore green shales Halite (restricted salina) Sandstones (fluvial to estuarine)
Base level fall unconformity
Anhydrite and gypsum (salina) Gypcrete
Maximum flooding surface
 S N
ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
Main sea-level (MSL)

Mhira shales

a b
Subaerial exposure Subaerial exposure
and erosion and erosion

S3 salt
Lowstand deposits MSL
Transgressive Subaerial exposure
surface and erosion
MSL Uplift
Uplift
Tebaga of Transgressive Tebaga of

PT
Correlative Medenine surface Medenine
conformity
Subsidence Subsidence

Bhir Messaoudi

RI
Messaoudi evaporites dolomites
Bhir
S3 salt dolomites MSL
evaporites
MSL

U SC
AN
M
D
TE
C EP
AC
 This study Sequences from litterature
Tectonic ACCEPTED
Levant
MANUSCRIPT
Algeria Geodynamic evolution of Tunisia and Major
Coastal Arabian
and Bourquin et al neighbouring regions from literature
Formations Formations Sequences onlap platform margin unconformities
volcanic Korngreen (2010); Galeazzi
Age Djebel Rehach in central Tunisia events curve Haq and and et al (2010)
Middle Low Hardenbol Qahtani Benjamini Mega
(subsurface) frequency freq. This et al. (1998) Fm. Morocco Alg. Tunis. GB. Tunis. JB. Lib. Egypt and Levant margin Arab. Alg. Lib. Egy. Arab. Ger. PB Dol
study JB. (2005) (2011) sequ. PF PF
Pliens.

Bourquin Galeazzi
Zmilet et al et al
B Horizon (2010)
Haber (2010)

? RM19
RM18 Si5

Bouaziz et al (2002)
Not studied
Not studied
Sinem.

RM17 Si4

PT
Bhir Bhir El RM16 Si3
El Ghanam Ghanam RM15 Si2

Not studied

RI
? RM14 Si1

RM13 He3
Hett.

SC
D2
RM12 He2

Maurer et al (2008)
Messaoudi
? Zerzour He1
RM11

U
S4 salt
Rhaet.?

Hiatus
S3 salt
RM10 Rh2

AN

Frizon de Lamote et al (2009)

Hussein and Abd-Allah (2001)

S3 salt RM9 Rh1

A. inf.
?

Hardy et al (2010)
RM8

M
D2

equiv.

Laville et al (2004)

Berra et al (2010)
equivalent RM7

D2
Mhira No2

Hiatus
RM6
Norian

D
No1

?
?
S4 salt
TAGS

Hiatus
Tepee surface

TE
Mhira RM5

Manspeizer et al (1978)
S4 salt

Galeazzi et al (2010)

Kamoun et al (2001)
Piqué et al (1998)
Courel et al (2003)
Car4 ?
Kronab

Galeazzi et al (2010)
Rubino et al (2003), Hallet (2002)
TAC

Bourquin et al (1996)
Aigner and Bachmann (1992)
EP
? RM4
Rehach Car3

Bouaziz et al (2002)
TAC

Raulin (2013)
C

Maurer et al (2008)

Gianolla and Jacquin (1998)

El-Azabi and El-Araby (2005)
Korngreen and Benjamini (2002)
RM3
Carnian

Gardosh et al (2010)
Guiraud et al (2005)
AC

TAC
Rehach

Keeley (1994)
Lower Car2
Evaporites RM2

Car1
Touareg Touareg
RM1
Mekraneb TAC
Lad.

Lad3

GB. = Ghadames Basin J.B. = Jeffara Basin Fm. = Formations Alg. = Ageria Lib. = Libya Mor. = Morocco Ger. = Germany PB = Paris Basin Dol = Dolomites Arab. PF = Arabian platform
A. inf. = Argiles inférieures Egy. = Egypt Normal faulting Volcanism Uplift Rifting Uplift Thermal subsidence
 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
• First ever sequence stratigraphic framework for the Late Triassic and Early Lias of
Tunisia
• Correlation and sedimentary geometries between outcrops and subsurface
• Relationships between geodynamics and sequential evolution
• Two phases of rifting separated by an uplift of the northern basin margin
• Uplift due to strike-slip movements along hercynian faults during the Eo-cimmerian
event

PT
RI
U SC
AN
M
D
TE
C EP
AC