The evolution of pre-existing structures during the tectonic inversion process of the Atlas chain of Tunisia

Previous studies on the plate movement between Africa and Eurasia have pointed out the evidence of successive phases of transtension and transpression. The transtensional regime was active between Jurassic and Cretaceous times. It led to extensional structures which were reactivated during the Cenozoic transpressional regime as consequence of the Africa-Europe convergence. In this paper, we used satellite images and field observations from Central Tunisia to demonstrate the role of the previous extension tectonics in the structural evolution of the Atlassic chain for the tectonic inversion process. In the study area, the geometry of structures and fault kinematics is used to document transition from transtension to transpression. The tectono-sedimentary record reflects the mechanical influence of reactivation of previous tectonics in the structural evolution of the study area and points out the significant role of the tectonic inheritance in the development of the Atlassic chain of Tunisia. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.