Evidence for a new regional NW–SE fault and crustal structure in Tunisia derived from gravity data

A new regional northwest–southeast fault in Tunisia, extending from Eastern Kairouan to the Algeria-Tunisia boundary, has been identified using advanced gravity data analysis. This fault terminates north-south Jurassic structures in the Kairouan plain and coincides with deep crustal features, including Moho flexures, suggesting its role in the initiation of Mesozoic rift systems. The study employed Gaussian filtered residual anomaly, total horizontal gradient, and Moho discontinuity morphology to reveal this previously unrecognized fault system, which has significant implications for mineral and petroleum exploration. Additionally, the research highlights other known fault systems and crustal structures in Tunisia, contributing to a deeper understanding of the region's geodynamic evolution.

Arfaoui, M., Reid, A., & Inoubli, M. H. (2015). Evidence for a new regional NW–SE fault and crustal structure in Tunisia derived from gravity data. Geophysical Prospecting, 63(5), 1272–1283. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2478.12248