Seismic stratigraphy and deformational styles of the

offshore Cyrenaica (Libya) and bordering Mediterranean

Ridge
Yem L. Mbida, L. Camera, J. Mascle, A. Ribodetti

To cite this version:

Yem L. Mbida, L. Camera, J. Mascle, A. Ribodetti. Seismic stratigraphy and deformational styles
of the offshore Cyrenaica (Libya) and bordering Mediterranean Ridge. Geophysical Journal Interna-
tional, 2011, 185 (1), pp.65-77. �10.1111/j.1365-246X.2011.04928.x�. �hal-00585749�

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 Geophysical Journal International
Geophys. J. Int. (2011) 185, 65–77 doi: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2011.04928.x

Seismic stratigraphy and deformational styles of the offshore

Cyrenaica (Libya) and bordering Mediterranean Ridge

Lionel Mbida Yem,1,2 Laurent Camera,3 Jean Mascle3 and Alessandra Ribodetti1

GJI Geodynamics and tectonics

1 Université de Nice Sophia-Antipolis, IRD, Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, Géoazur F-06235, BP 48, Villefranche-sur-mer, France.
E-mail: [email protected]
2 Applied Geology Laboratory UYI, Yaoundé, Cameroon
3 Université de Nice Sophia-Antipolis, CNRS, Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, Géoazur F-06235, BP 48, Villefranche-sur-mer, France

Accepted 2010 December 21. Received 2010 December 13; in original form 2009 June 4

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SUMMARY
Off northwest Libya the Cyrenaica foreland basin domain and its Pan-African continental
crust, which constitute the African promontory, are overthrusted by the Mediterranean Ridge
Complex. The thrust belt contact and its seismic stratigraphy have been analysed using pre-
stack depth-migrated multichannel seismic (MCS) lines recorded during the MEDISIS survey
(2002). The geometry and sedimentary distribution analysis through the wedge-top depocen-
tres allow reconstruction of schematic cross-sections of the tectono-sedimentary wedge that
includes two major thrust sequences separated by an apparently poorly deformed transition
zone. Based on time–space variation of several piggyback basins, we propose that these thrust
sequences relate to distinct phases of shortening. (1) A first event, which probably occurred
just prior to the Messinian crisis in latest Miocene (Tortonian times?) and (2) A second event,
that has finally led to the present-day overthrusting of the Mediterranean Ridge over the Libyan
continental slope.
Key words: Image processing; Continental margins: convergent; Continental margins:
divergent; Africa; Europe.

graphic mélanges made of Mesozoic to Plio-Quaternary sediments

1 I N T RO D U C T I O N
(Finetti 1982; Ahlbrandt 2001) emplaced on the subducting African
Extending off Libya, the north Cyrenaica foreland basin (Fig. 1) basement. According to Huguen & Mascle (2005), the wedge can
results from a diachronous geological evolution including a pas- be divided into three different morphostructural provinces: (1) a
sive margin stage and its subsequent tectonic inversion (and up- southern front overthrusting the passive African continental mar-
lift), which originated from a still ongoing convergence between gin, (2) a central, rather flat, domain and (3) a northern province
the African and Eurasian plates. According to DeCelles & Giles in backthrust contact to the North with the Hellenic active margin.
(1996) this area, extending along the southern Neo-Tethys border, Whether this morphologic feature expresses only relatively shal-
can be regarded as part of a foreland-type basin which includes (1) a low thrusted sequences within the wedge-top depozone, or deeply
foredeep depositional system, the present-day Dernah-Tubruq and rooted structures of the subducting African crust, remains an open
Benghazi basins and (2) a wedge-top depozone, the Mediterranean debate.
Ridge (Fig. 1). The few available geophysical data have always faced difficulties
Up to now the foredeep region remains still poorly studied and providing reliable images of the deep structure of the wedge-top
it therefore remains difficult to properly locate, through the fore- depozone, mainly due to the presence, in the shallow section of the
land basin, the seaward extension of the passive African continental wedge, of thick Messinian salt deposits (Hsü et al. 1973; Finetti
margin. While considered for a long time as enigmatic, the geol- 1982; Mascle & Chaumillon 1998), and to its overall and intense
ogy of the Central Mediterranean Ridge has recently been clari- tectonic deformation. In this study we have applied pre-stack depth
fied through the use of detailed swath bathymetric data (Huguen & migration (PSDM) techniques on five regional MCS lines to tenta-
Mascle 2005; Huguen et al. 2005), various academic seismic reflec- tively obtain better depth images of the geological structures and of
tion data (Cita et al. 1989; Camerlenghi et al. 1992, 1995; De Voogd the structural relationships of this accreted wedge with its foredeep
et al. 1992; Zitter 2004; Chamot-Rooke et al. 2005) including sev- domain, the passive Libyan continental margin.
eral multichannel seismic (MCS) lines (Finetti 1982; Chaumillon Bosworth et al. (2008) proposed that a ‘strain shadow’ (see their
1995; Kopf et al. 1998; Mascle & Chaumillon 1998; Costa et al. Fig. 1) affects the shore area just south and southeast of Cyrenaica
2004) and ODP leg 160 drilling results (Emeis et al. 1996). Some where only little shortening is evidenced. However, we can won-
of these studies have shown that the wedge complex includes strati- der whether some deformation may occur on the opposite side of


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Figure 1. Main morphostructural elements of the studied area, including the Cyrenaica foreland basin and the bordering Mediterranean Ridge (modified from
Chamot-Rooke et al., 2005) are shown on a shaded bathymetric map (from Gebco, 2003). Location of MCS lines MD11, 13, 17, 18 and 19, illustrated and
discussed in this paper, are indicated in blue lines. In red, main thrust zones (frontal thrust and back thrust of the Mediterranean Ridge) and main strike-slip
fault zones across the Mediterranean Ridge and its backstop. In upper left corner: plates, main kinematic, tectonic elements and location of the study area (after
Huguen et al., 2005).

the ‘strain shadow’ zone (offshore Cyrenaica), which has not been finally (3) the opening of the Mesogean Sea (Dercourt et al. 1986;
explored and evidenced so far. In this case, how this shortening is Ricou et al. 1986; Le Pichon et al. 1988; Ziegler 1988). Geophys-
expressed and what its timing is are questions we are tentatively ical and field data indicate that the late Mesozoic rifting phase of
trying to answer. the North Africa basement (Guiraud & Bosworth 1999) was accom-
panied by a series of aborted rifts south of the actual continental
margin (Tawadros 2001; Craig et al. 2008). A late Cretaceous re-
gional high subsidence rate, possibly associated with the Sirte col-
2 R E G I O NA L G E O DY NA M I C S E T T I N G lapse (Rusk 2001; Carr 2003), is effectively recognized in the Atlas
According to Janssen et al. (1995), the Apulian domain was, until mountains (Zouaghi 2005) and in Libya’s Kufrah, Murzuq, Ghadami
Jurassic times, part of the African Plate, and was then bounded to and Tripolitania basins. Through Cenozoic times, the progressive
the North by the Early Triassic Tethyan Ocean (Makhlouf 2006). shortening between the African continental margin (Cyrenaica) and
Palaeogeographic reconstructions of the Tethyan-Mediterranean the Hellenic arc (Kempler & Garfunkel 1994; Rosenbaum et al.
domain which extended from Northern Libya to Southern Aegean 2002) has led to the creation of a tectono-sedimentary wedge, the
sea (e.g. Guiraud & Bosworth 1999; Stampfli & Borel 2000) show Mediterranean Ridge complex (Fig. 1; McKenzie 1970), and even
that the onset of the closure of the Tethyan oceanic space, gener- to some tectonic inversion of the Cyrenaica shore basins (Röhlich
ated by a left-lateral translation of the East Saharian domain with 1980; El Hawat & Abdulsamad, 2004). According to Bosworth
respect to the Hellenides-Rhodopes superterranes, probably initi- et al. (2008), the stratigraphy of the Tubruq offshore basin includes
ated in Barremian times (Dercourt et al. 1986; Janssen et al. 1995). Palaeozoic silico-clastic sediments, unconformably overlain by Tri-
The northward drift of Africa relative to Europe, emphasized by assic to Early-Cretaceous pre-inversion package, topped by foreland
the opening of the South and Equatorial Atlantic Oceans (Craig sequences, including Late Cretaceous to Eocene and Oligocene to
et al. 2008), led to (1) the collision, and subsequent suture, of dif- Holocene sediments (Table 1). Seismic reflection profiles shown in
ferent cratonic blocks across the remnants of the Tethys ocean, (2) this paper provide images of this thick sedimentary section within
the rifting of Apulia away from Africa (Janssen et al. 1995) and both the foredeep system and the wedge-top area.

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 Mediterranean Ridge and offshore Cyrenaica 67

Table 1. Synthetic stratigraphy of Mesozoic sequences (modified from Carr (2003)). NA, The Mesozoic succession
of North Africa is divided into two sequences (NA 6, Early Triassic to Middle Cretaceous; and NA 7, Middle to
Late Cretaceous); LST, lowstand systems tract; TST, transgressive systems tract; HST, highstand systems tract; MFS,
maximum flooding surface; SB, sequence boundary; AP, second-order sequence stratigraphic framework for the Arabian
Plate [Sequence AP 6 (Late Permian to Toarcian); Sequence AP 7 (Toarcian to Tithonian); Sequence AP 8 (Tithonian to
Turonian); and Sequence AP 9 (Turonian to Palaeocene)].
Egypt North Africa ArabianPlate
Ma Era Period Epoch Stage (Keeley 1994) (This study) (Sharland et al., 2001)

Maastrichtian

Senonian
Campanian AP 9
NA 7 TST 7
Santonian
Coniacian
Turonian
Cenomanian
SB 7

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100
Cret ac eous

Phase V
Albian
Gallic

Aptian

Barremian AP 8
Hauterivian
HST 6
ME S O ZO IC

Neocomian Valanginian
Berriasian

150 Tithonian
Malm
Kimmeridgian
Oxfordian
Callovian
Bathonian
MFS 6
Phase IV

Dogger
Bajocian
AP 7
Ju ras si c

Aalenian

Toarcian NA 6
TST 6
Pliensbachian
Lias

200 Sinemurian

Hettangian
Rhaetian
Phase III

Norian
Tr ia ssi c

Late
LST 6 AP 6
Carnian

Middle Ladinian

Scythian
Anisian
SB 6
Sequence Boundary (SB) Transgressive Surface Maximum Flooding Surface (MFS)

streamer; the source and receivers configuration resulted in a 30

3 D ATA P R O C E S S I N G
common depth point (CDP) fold coverage. Before performing a
During the MEDISIS survey (run in 2002) several MCS profiles pre-stack depth migration, a more conventional seismic process-
were recorded across the Libya foreland basin to tentatively image, ing sequence was carried out using Geovector software to improve
beneath the Mediterranean Ridge, the northward extension of this the data signal-to-noise ratio. This sequence included minimum
segment of the Mesozoic African passive margin and to evaluate phase signal conversion, predictive deconvolution, Butterworth fil-
the structure and nature of the sedimentary cover of both domains. tering (3–6 and 65–75 Hz), F–K antimultiple attenuation and nor-
These lines were recorded using a 4515 cubic inches air gun ar- mal moveout correction. Amplitudes of the data were preserved
ray, with shot spacing of 75 m, and a 360 channel, 4.5-km-long as much as possible. The velocity analysis was performed by both


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68 L. M. Yem et al.

semblance panel techniques and variant stack corrections at ev- tion bodies (Figs 4 and 5) possibly indicating channel fills (Mitchum
ery 100 or 200 CDP, depending on the length of each line and 1977).
of the structural complexity of the area. After conversion into in- Towards the distal foreland, A1 presents staircase structures as-
terval velocities, using Dix equations, the inferred velocity model sociated with low angle northward dipping oblique faults (Fig. 4).
was interpolated and subsequently smoothed for dynamic ray trac- Through the Benghazi wedge-top inner domain (Fig. 6; line MD11)
ing (Lambaré et al. 1992) and for better estimate of traveltime, the A1 seismic expression is less obvious. The poor quality of seis-
amplitude and ray-related parameters. PSDM (Rai–Born inversion mic information in this area may be due to fluid circulation along
tomography) was then applied on data sorted in shotpoint gathers. in-sequence thrust and released on the seafloor as mud volcanoes.
During the PSDM process (Thierry et al. 1999), common image Further north, a banded reflection package, similar to the one ob-
gathers (CIG) and semblance panels are stored for each kilometre. served in the Tubruq foredeep basin, is found between 3.5 and
These CIG were used for quality control of the final migrated im- 8.2 km depth on lines MD11 and MD13 (Figs 6 and 7). According
age and to further refine the PSDM accuracy by iterative velocity to Bally (1987), sedimentary lenses are common in prograding fa-
analysis in the depth domain. The redundant image of reflectors cies units and in near deltaic environments. We thus interpret A1 as
for each offset, or diffraction angle in the CIG, must be flat and a probable parasequence set including a late low stands system tract
at the same depth position to guarantee optimal processing of the and sediments deposited from the onset of sea level rise until the
final section (Fig. 2). To improve the accuracy of the PSDM method

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time of maximum transgression on the coast. Additional supports
used to migrate the MEDISIS data, we have performed two iterative for such interpretation are the presence of potential failing stage
migration-velocity analyses for each line shown and discussed in salt deposits through the sequence and the presence of an overlying
this paper. MFS (Fig. 3).
An upper sequence, A2, highlights aggrading (Fig. 3) and pro-
grading (Fig. 4) seismic reflections with a bank-like external ge-
4 THE DIFFERENT SEISMIC ometry. This package is characterized by more continuous, parallel
SEQUENCES and high amplitude seismic reflections (Fig. 3). Local disruptions of
the A2 seismic facies unit, together with dispersed reflections, are
4.1 Seismic sequences observed in the area of deformation (i.e. high angle normal fault) or
in dome-like rising features above the general level of surrounding
Analysis of seismic sections obtained after PSDM processing has
strata, or in areas of potential fluid migration (Figs 3 and 4). Fol-
allowed us to distinguish through the study area three major seis-
lowing Wilson (1975), the A2 layer-cake high amplitude reflectors
mic sequences respectively labeled A, B and C in Figs 4–8. These
(Fig. 4) can be interpreted as an aggrading shelf edge complex that
sequences correlate with a well-stratified sedimentary cover whose
builds out in deep water during sea level high stand (Vail et al. 1977;
thickness varies between 2500 and 5000 m along the foredeep basin
Sarg et al. 1999).
and may reach 6000 m in the distal domain of the wedge-top depo-
Among this high-stand systems tract (Vail 1987; Posamentier
zone.
et al. 1988; Posamentier & Allen 1999), the eroded unconformity
The strategy used to define these reflection packages is based on
(SB1) displays a linear shaped seismic reflection pattern that extends
(1) their seismic stratigraphy, (2) some sequential stratigraphy anal-
north of the Cyrenaica foredeep basins and may define a major
ysis, as defined by Vail et al. (1977) and Van Wagoner et al. (1988);
global sea level fall after the deposition of A2 sequence facies
this technique recommends interpreting the depositional sequences
units.
on seismic sections by identifying discontinuities at the base of
reflection terminations and (3) stratigraphy as derived from on-
shore observations and drilling (Duronio et al. 1991), and regional 4.1.2 Seismic sequence B
geological synthesis (Carr 2003; Bosworth et al. 2008). Based on
This seismic sequence shows a base-concordant relation with SB1
these various approaches, three major bounding discontinuities were
sequence boundary along the shelf edge (Fig. 3), and downdip
recognized: (1) a probable maximum flooding surface (MFS) lies
succession of its lower strata against MFS in a basin-ward direction
between A1 and A2 seismic facies units; (2) a sequence bound-
(Fig. 4). These bounding patterns suggest a parasequence set with
ary (SB1), which truncates the depositional sequence A2 and (3)
bank-like external geometry (Kendall et al. 2003).
a second sequence boundary (SB2) capping seismic sequence B.
B is widespread on the study area and characterized by two dif-
In the following section, seismic sequences are described from the
ferent types of seismic reflections. A first group is seen along the
oldest to the youngest one, and from the foredeep towards the distal
present-day shelf edge and shows stratification patterns with good
wedge-top depozone area to facilitate stratigraphic correlation.
continuity, exhibiting high amplitude locally interrupted by discon-
tinuous low amplitudes. A second type, observed in the deep water
basin and through the wedge-top depozone, includes chaotic and
4.1.1 Seismic sequence A
blank massive shape sequences with intermittent internal reflec-
This sequence represents the deepest observed seismic unit. Its base tions. This deep-water seismic facies unit displays strong variations
is not clearly imaged through the seismic data. However, a banded in thickness associated with post-deposition deep normal fault re-
package of high amplitude seismic reflectors, seen at the base of a activation and piggyback-basin development (Fig. 4).
structural high on line MD18 (Fig. 3), possibly delineates sequence Following Fontaine & Cussey (1987), the updip B made of paral-
A basement. A can be divided into two distinct seismic facies units lel and high frequency reflections may indicate pelagic carbonates
(A1, A2) with different characters, separated by a probable MFS. accumulation during the transgressive stage. We therefore interpret
The lower interval (A1) is made of discontinuous parallel, fair and the B sequence as a potential carbonate parasequence (Van Wagoner
high amplitude seismic reflections, sometimes affected by exten- et al. 1988; changing in the basin-ward direction to downslope mass
sional faulting (Fig. 4; line MD17). In addition, this unit displays flows) and dolomitic limestone associated with a post-deposition
local mound-shaped strata (shale? salt?) and lenses of chaotic reflec- basin restriction. According to Deelman (1999) and Sarg (2002),

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Figure 2. Examples of quality and accuracy controls of depth-migrated seismic line. (A): Common image gathers (in grey and white); iso-X-panels (in colour) show maximum coherence (green–blue), around
one for the main reflectors on semblance panels; blue dots and arrows indicate the locations of main seismic discontinuities; SR, seabed reflector; SB, sequences boundaries (1, 2 and 3). (B): Example of pre-stack
depth-migrated line MD17, from the Libyan continental slope to the Mediterranean Ridge.
Mediterranean Ridge and offshore Cyrenaica
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L. M. Yem et al.

Figure 3. Seismic stratigraphy and internal structure of the Tubruq foredeep basin from PSDM line MD18. A, B and C indicate the different seismic sequences as indicated in the text. MFS, maximum flooding
surface; SB1 and SB2, sequence boundaries.


Figure 4. Seismic stratigraphy and structural style at the contact between the Mediterranean Ridge complex and the Tubruq foredeep sequences from PSDM line MD17. A, B and C indicate the different seismic
sequences as indicated in the text. MFS: maximum flooding surface; SB1 and SB2: sequence boundaries. Blue arrows underline terminations against sequence boundaries. Bold line: thrust or extensional faults;
regular lines: boundaries of main seismic reflectors.

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Figure 5. Seismic stratigraphy and structural patterns of the Tubruq foredeep basin/Cyrenaica thrust sheets and seaward extension of the foredeep sequence from PSDM image MD19. A, B and C indicate the
different seismic sequences as indicated in the text, SB1 and SB2: sequence boundaries.
Mediterranean Ridge and offshore Cyrenaica
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L. M. Yem et al.


Figure 6. Seismic sequences and structural style of the inner Mediterranean complex as illustrated on PSDM line MD11. A, B and C indicate seismic sequences. Bold lines: thrust systems; regular lines: boundaries
of main seismic reflectors.

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 Mediterranean Ridge and offshore Cyrenaica 73

tectonic settings prone to hydrographic restriction (such as fore-

Figure 7. Seismic sequences and structural patterns of Neo-Tethys Duplex, as interpreted from PSDM lines MD13. Black bold lines: thrust or detachment level; regular lines: boundaries of main seismic reflectors.
land basin) provide favourable conditions for carbonate to evaporite
transition during sea level low stands. A large-scale shelf uncon-
formity surface (SB2), seen at the top of B seismic sequence, at-
tests for a post-date sea level drawdown associated with uplift and
thrusting (Fig. 4). This combined tectonic–eustatic event probably
accommodated restricted conditions leading to B potential carbon-
ate dolomitization. Our hypothesis is supported by the presence
of diapiric-type structures observed within B in the distal foreland
region (Fig. 7).

4.1.3 Seismic sequence C

C lies between the regional SB2 seismic sequence boundary and the
seafloor everywhere in the foreland basin. Its internal pattern is also

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characterized by two seismic facies units: C1 and C2. A lower pack-
age (C1), well developed in the Tubruq foredeep depozone, shows
subparallel and high amplitude banded reflections (Figs 3 and 4). An
upper package (C2) is characterized by transparent weak seismic
reflection. Both units form a stratigraphic melange with fill config-
uration in the toe of the Tubruq accretionary complex (Fig. 4) and
linear shape along the distal part of the wedge-top depozone (Figs 6
and 7). This stratigraphic melange is characterized by interbedded,
fine and high frequency continuous seismic reflections with which
some weak transparent facies can be recognized. In addition, it ex-
hibits evidence of active salt welts, created by salt flowage in the
lowermost part of the sequence (Fig. 4).
In summary, the distribution patterns and internal reflections
of C seismic sequence lead to interpret a shelf margin wedge
(Homewood et al. 2002) including forced regressive salt deposits
(likely Messinian) developed during stepped sea level falls.

4.2 Tentative correlation with the regional

chronostratigraphy
An integrated approach, based on seismic stratigraphy analysis and
previous geological synthesis (Duronio et al. 1991; Carr 2003;
Bosworth et al. 2008), leads us to document three mega sequences
within the Cyrenaica foreland depozone. (1) A lowermost one over-
lies an irregular acoustic basement expressed by series of tilted
blocks along the shelf edge (Figs 3 and 4) and thick-skinned thrust-
SB1 and SB2: sequences boundaries. A, B and C: seismic sequences.

ing within the distal foreland; (2) an intermediate sequence is

widespread and displays syn and post-deposition tectonic features
along the wedge-top depozone and (3) a last depositional sequence
reflects tectonic reactivation of foredeep extensional faults coeval
with piggyback-basin development.
The sedimentary sequences deduced from the acoustic facies
analysis are related to two parasequences (low stands and lower
transgressive system tract) A1, topped by a high stand system tract
(A2) and an upper transgressive system tract (B) overlain by a
shelf margin wedge (C). Along the Eastern Mediterranean domain,
as well as in Libyan shore basins, comparable seismic sequences
and lithofacies interpretation have been proposed by several au-
thors (Finetti 1982; Biju-Duval et al. 1987; Duronio et al. 1991;
Shegewi 1992; Chaumillon 1995; Emeis et al. 1996; Gumati et al.
1996; Mascle & Chaumillon 1998; Ahlbrandt 2001; Rusk 2001; Tay
et al. 2002; Carr 2003; El Hawat & Abdulsamad 2004; Bosworth
et al. 2008). The regional history stemming from these studies
includes Triassic-to-Early-Cretaceous crustal extension, followed
by uplift and folding during Eocene–Oligocene times (Gumati &
Nairn 1991). According to Gumati et al. (1996) and Bosworth et al.


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74 L. M. Yem et al.

(2008), the stratigraphic succession of the Cyrenaica platform in- late Cretaceous and Tertiary fore deep sequence, directly above the
cludes a Palaeozoic basement unconformably overlain by Triassic passive African continental margin. Unlike the Neo-Tethyan Du-
to Cretaceous sediments. Carr (2003) divided the Mesozoic succes- plex, the Cyrenaica thrust-sheet displays typical thin-skinned thrust
sion across North Africa (including Sirte and Cyrenaica) into two system (Fig. 4) that may involve Upper Cretaceous to Holocene
sequences: (1) an Early Triassic to middle Cretaceous sequence, un- sedimentary units. This package is detached from its Jurassic to
conformably overlain by (2) a middle to late Cretaceous sedimentary Early Cretaceous sole (the sedimentary cover of the African mar-
cover. Despite a lack of control by well data, a comparison of its gin) along fault plane (D2) with ramp-flat-geometry. Its hinterland
second-order sequences stratigraphy framework (Table 1) with our zone is characterized by tectonic denudation of foredeep sequence
interpretation lead us to respectively correlate MFS to the Oxfordian where exhumation of deep-seated rocks was accomplished by ramp-
maximum transgression, A2 to the Late Jurassic Early Cretaceous decollement geometry. The presence of a wide and thick Messinian
and SB1 to the top of the Albian unconformity. From this attempt, piggyback basin behind the passive duplex indicates that the onset
B can be assigned to the Cenomanian–Eocene sequence (Bosworth of Cyrenaica thrust-sheet accretion is most likely coeval with the
et al. 2008), SB2 to the top of an Eocene unconformity (Ceriani latest Miocene deformation and uplift.
et al. 2002) and C to an Oligocene–Holocene sequence (Ahlbrandt
2001; Bosworth et al. 2008).

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6 D I S C U S S I O N A N D C O N C LU S I O N S
5 T E C T O N I C F E AT U R E S O F
T H E C Y R E NA I C A W E D G E - TO P 6.1 The Cyrenaica margin

Interpretation of MD11, 13, 17 and 19 lines tends to indicate that Tentative chronostratigraphic correlation tends to indicate that our
several phases of tectonic activity have affected the Cyrenaica base- interpretation is, in general, in good agreement with usually pro-
ment; they include the formation of NE–SW trending grabens dur- posed Mesozoic evolution of the southern Tethyan margin. Accord-
ing Triassic to Early Cretaceous (Fig. 3) and the development of ing to the MCS data interpretation the sedimentary pile of this mar-
regional highs and lows associated with Eocene–Holocene thrust- gin segment may include Triassic salt, and evaporite accumulated
ing (Fig. 4). In the following section, we will focus on the structural during the Messinian crisis. Up to now no evidence of evaporite
analysis of the wedge-top depozone to tentatively reconstruct the older than the Messinian ones has been reported offshore Eastern
post-rift deformation of the Cyrenaica foreland basin. As can be Libya; in western Libya however, salt deposits (Late Triassic to Mid-
seen in Fig. 1, the Central Mediterranean Ridge complex includes dle Jurassic in age) constitute one of the major hydrocarbon plays
two distinct mega thrust sequences; the two sequences are separated within the Pelagian domain (Sabratah subbasin in Libya, Ashtart
by an area characterized by thick-slip sliding structures (Fig. 4), and subbasin in Tunisia), where they generated domes-like structures
a high velocity (6.2 km s−1 ) according to PSDM iterative velocity that later affected both sedimentation and oil entrapment (Bosworth,
analysis. We have named the northern thrust wedge, Neo-Tethyan- 2009, personal communication). The lack of published well data
Duplex and the frontal prism, Cyrenaica thrust-sheet. needed to calibrate our seismic data makes uncertain the Triassic
age we have tentatively attributed to deep diapirs-like and folded
features observed beneath the Tubruq shelf basin (Fig. 3). Our hy-
5.1 Neo-Tethyan Duplex pothesis is however supported by several lines of reasoning. First,
the mother layers of the postulated salt features, which can be seen
MCS sections MD18, 17, 19, 11 and 13 (Figs 3–7, respectively) indi- in the deepest part of the cross-section, do not appear affected by
cate that the Neo-Tethyan Duplex extends between 70 and 130 km superficial compression and do not show any structural relationship
away from the base of the Cyrenaica continental slope (Fig. 1). with identified Messinian sequences. Secondly, the North Tubruq
These lines show that the Neo-Tethyan Duplex may include several Triassic salt basin shows some NE–SW sag similar to the early
ramps potentially at a crustal scale (Figs 6 and 7). According to Mesozoic evaporite through known in the central Atlas of Tunisia
the hypothesis of Bosworth et al. (2008) and Carr (2003), folds and (Bédir et al. 2001; Zouaghi et al. 2005). Finally, assuming an early
thrusting in this area may involve sediments up to Jurassic to middle stage, in late Palaeozoic, for the opening of the Tethyan ocean
Cretaceous. Moreover, when considering the seismic features and (Sengör 1979; Stampfli et al. 2004; Garfunkel 2004), it may not
thickness variations, as illustrated on lines MD11 and MD13, the be surprising to observe salt deposits in confined depressions, as is
Neo-Tethyan Duplex seems to be characterized by hinterland-direct usually the case during early rifting phases.
shortening migration attesting probable back stepping of wedge On our seismic lines we have tentatively recognized within the
accretion. This observation leads us to interpret a wedge over a post-Jurassic cover of the eastern Libyan margin two main regional
critical profile (Dahlen et al. 1984; Muños et al. 1985; Zoetemeijer unconformities: a first one on top of the Albian, and a second
et al. 1992). This hypothesis is supported by the northward pas- on top of the Eocene. These unconformities and their erosional
sive duplex (roof backthrust) that marked the structural front of the surfaces (see Figs 3 and 4) indicate that along the Tubruq region
Neo-Tethyan Duplex. The flat bedding unconformity of likely Early foredeep the depocentres shifted from south to north prior to Ter-
Pliocene age, that caps the top of the Miocene fan shape sequence, tiary times and maybe before a Santonian event (Guiraud et al.
leads to believe that the basal detachment (D1) of the Neo-Tethyan 2005) indicating a tectonic inversion of the Neotethyan basins.
Duplex reached its critical dip position at that time, or just prior to Such a scenario is supported by a continuous uplift and erosion
the onset of Cyrenaica thrust-sheet accretion. time and shift during Campanian and Maastricthian of the southern
Neo-Tethyan margin, which is supported by the deposition of thick
Palaeocene pile directly overlying late Jurassic strata (Fig. 3). This
5.2 Cyrenaica thrust-sheet
observation is in good agreement with the hypothesis of Bosworth
Structural analysis of seismic profiles MD17 and MD19 shows that et al. (2008), which indicates a global change in the kinematic of
the Cyrenaica thrust-sheet spreads over nearly 40 km (Fig. 5) above the North African terrains in Santonian times. The sedimentary

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C 2011 RAS
 Mediterranean Ridge and offshore Cyrenaica 75

distribution and observed tectonic features indicate that the Cyre-

naica foreland basin can be divided into domains: (1) the Dernah-
Tubruq basin and (2) Benghazi (Jabal al Akhdar) foredeep, sep-
arated by a master, NNE–SSW trending, strike-slip fault zone
(Fig. 1).

6.2 The northern bordering Mediterranean Ridge

From the tentative reconstructed cross-section shown in Fig. 8 we
may distinguish two different thrusted sequences: (1) a northern one,
or Neo-Tethyan Duplex, characterized by ramp anticlines and (2)
a southern one, or Cyrenaica thrust sheets, overthrusting the fore-
deep sequences. The identification of Messinian salt sequences, the
discrimination between regional seismic sequence boundaries and
the architectures of both thrust domains allow us to identify two

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main and successive phases of shortening, respectively during late
Miocene time (possibly the Tortonian event of Guiraud et al. (2005))
and just after the Messinian time. Our results are somewhat consis-
tent with what is known from the evolution of the Southern Apen-
nines (Ori & Friend 1984; Bonini et al. 1998; Piedilato & Prosser
Figure 8. Schematic North–South regional cross-section across the Cyrenaica wedge-top depozone illustrating its main structural characteristics.

2005) and of southwestern Turkey margin (Alçiçek & Veen 2008)

where comparable events have been described, including a relative
out-of-sequence thrusting during the Miocene (post-Aquitanian).
This seems to support the occurrence of a regional shortening event
sometimes during upper Miocene (Tortonian?) times affecting most
of the Eastern Mediterranean domain. An important issue concerns
the interpretation of the inner domain of the Mediterranean ridge
(Figs 3–7 and 8); due to its relatively elevated position with respect
to the southern thrust-sheet, we suspect that this thick-slip sliding
domain correlates with a faulted acoustic basement bulge. Accord-
ingly, the specific acoustic response of the overlying sediments may
result from fluid circulations along in-sequence thrusts or along nor-
mal faults reactivated by compression events. If correct, this would
indicate that mud expulsion and gas chimneys observed through the
inner part of Mediterranean ridge Complex are controlled by deep-
seated tectonic features such as thrusts or reverse faults as already
proposed by Huguen et al. (2001, 2005).
Besides their scientific impact, the results presented in this pa-
per may also provide interesting issues for petroleum exploration
along the Cyrenaica foreland basin. Further investigations, involv-
ing wide-angle seismic data, should be undertaken especially within
the central domain of the Mediterranean ridge to improve our knowl-
edge of its internal structure and lithology.

AC K N OW L E D G M E N T S
This work is part of the L. Mbida Yem’ Ph.D., supported by a
grant from Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement (IRD). The
authors gratefully acknowledge the chief scientist and staff onboard
the N/O NADIR during the Medisis cruise. We express our thanks to
P. Thierry, G. Lambaré and S. Operto, who developed the preserved
amplitude pre-stack depth migration software used for this study;
special thanks to G. Lambaré for providing his dynamic ray tracing
code. The first author is also grateful to F. Sage-Khadir for her
assistance during pre-processing of seismic data on Geovector, and
to E. Lopez for stimulating discussions. We are grateful to Ben
Yates for his proofreading and English comments.

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