Accepted Manuscript

Interpretation of gravity data using 3D inversion and 2D continuous wavelet transform

in Hedil deformed structures, northern Tunisia

Mohamed Atawa, Hassina Boukerbout, Taher Zouaghi, Houssem Mzali, Hakim Saibi,
Abdeslam Abtout

PII: S1464-343X(19)30002-0
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2019.01.002
Reference: AES 3406

To appear in: Journal of African Earth Sciences

Received Date: 13 May 2018

Revised Date: 27 December 2018
Accepted Date: 3 January 2019

Please cite this article as: Atawa, M., Boukerbout, H., Zouaghi, T., Mzali, H., Saibi, H., Abtout, A.,
Interpretation of gravity data using 3D inversion and 2D continuous wavelet transform in Hedil deformed
structures, northern Tunisia, Journal of African Earth Sciences (2019), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/
j.jafrearsci.2019.01.002.

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 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT

1 Interpretation of gravity data using 3D inversion and 2D

2 continuous wavelet transform in Hedil deformed
3 structures, northern Tunisia
4 Mohamed Atawa a, b,*, Hassina Boukerbout c, Taher Zouaghi d,
5 Houssem Mzali a, Hakim Saibi e, Abdeslam Abtout c

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a
6 Laboratoire de Géoressources, CERTE, Pôle Technologique de Borj Cédria, 8020 Soliman,
7 Tunisia.
b
Département des Sciences de la Terre, FSB, Université de Carthage, 7021 Jarzouna, Tunisia.

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8
c
9 Centre de Recherche en Astronomie, Astrophysique et Géophysique (CRAAG), Bouzaréah,
10 16340 Alger, Algérie.

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d
11 Geoexploration Department, Faculty of Earth Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589,
12 Saudi Arabia.
e
13 Department of Geology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain,

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14 United Arab Emirates.
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15 * Corresponding author; E-mail addresses:
16 moh.atawa2015@gmail.com (Mohamed Atawa).
17 tzouaghi@kau.edu.sa; taher.zouaghi2018@gmail.com (Taher Zouaghi).
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18

19 Abstract
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20 The Hedil region in northern Tunisia shows several geological structures associated with
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21 intense tectonic deformations that induced genesis of overthrusts and tectonic imbrications

22 with rising of Triassic evaporites. This region constitutes a transition zone, between the
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23 Atlassic and Tellian domains, and exhibits multi-scale tectonic deformations related to the

basins structure and the regional geodynamic of the Northern African margin. Gravity data
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24
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25 processing and continuous wavelet transform, coupled with field data, lead to underline the

26 subsurface geometric configuration and to propose an evolutionary structural framework for

27 the studied area.

28 The horizontal gradient magnitude (HGM) and its maxima highlight several lineaments

29 trending NE-, E-, NW- and N- however the NE-SW direction is predominantly expressed.

30 Depths of the main buried structures were estimated using the Euler deconvolution method.

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31 The highest values that exceed 3 km seem to underlines the structures associated to NE-SW,

32 NW-SE and rarely E-W inherited features. The NE-SW oriented structures are mainly

33 represented by overthrusts and tectonic imbrication zones that were occurred along inherited

34 faults in the southern part of the area, as a result of the Atlassic compressional tectonics of

35 Late Miocene and Quaternary ages. However the other lineaments correspond mainly to

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36 strike-slip and reverse. The application of 3D inversion method allows identification and

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37 characterization of geological structures in subsurface. The most deformed structures are

38 marked by positive anomalies and are sometimes underlined by intrusion of Triassic evaporite

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39 rocks. However, the collapsed structures are underlined by negative anomalies testifying a

40 material of low density. The extracted inversion sections highlight the deep rooted geometry

41
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of the Triassic bodies, locally associated with overturn of pierced strata.
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42 The continuous wavelet transform method was used to get an idea about the deep
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43 structures of the region, to estimate the boundary between the sedimentary filling and the

44 Precambrian basement, and determining the depth and dipping of some identified contacts.
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45 Some uplifted structures and Triassic evaporite intrusions especially that of the Bazina are
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46 marked by risings of pre-Triassic deep causative sources. These zones of significant

47 anomalies in the Atlassic domain are probably areas of intense deformation related to the
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48 ancient Hercynian tectonics that affected the North African margin. The identified structures

should be related to the regional tectonic inversion, related to the African and European plates
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49
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50 subduction.

51 Keywords: Gravity processing; Inversion; Continuous wavelet transform; Tectonic

52 framework; Subsurface structuring; Northern Tunisia.

53 1. Introduction

54 Combined effects of several tectonic constraints have induced geometry and deformation

55 of geological structures in Tunisia (e.g., Cohen, 1980; Dercourt et al., 1986, 2000; Martinez et
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56 al., 1990; Gaetani et al., 2003; Rekhiss, 2007; Frizon de Lamotte et al., 2009; Zouaghi et al,

57 2011; Melki et al., 2012; Haji et al., 2013; Essid et al., 2016, 2018). Several sedimentary were

58 formed during the collision-subduction tectonics events ranging from late Cretaceous to

59 Cenozoic (e.g., Burollet, 1951; Caire, 1971; Cohen, 1980; Lamos, 1980; Wildi, 1983; Rehault

60 et al., 1984; Bouillin, 1986; Tlig et al., 1991; Yaïch et al., 2000; Azizi and Chihi, 2017). The

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61 regional tectonic style is marked by NE- and E-trending major faults (Fig. 1A), which have

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62 controlled basin kinematics and structuring (e.g., Masrouhi et al., 2008; Talbi et al., 2008;

63 Khomsi et al., 2009; Zouaghi et al., 2010, 2011; Melki et al., 2011, 2012; Haji et al 2013;

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64 Alyahyaoui and Zouari, 2014; Marzougui et al., 2015; Atawa et al., 2016), and consequently

65 its sedimentary filling (e.g., Fildes et al., 2010; Riahi et al., 2010, 2014, 2015; Thomas et al.,

66
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2010; Melki et al., 2011; Belayouni et al., 2012, 2013).
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67 The northern part of Tunisia constitutes a large part of the Magrebides (Fig. 1), which
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68 extended towards Sicily to the East and Calabria to the West (Cohen et al., 1980). It is

69 connected to the Betic cordillera through the Gibraltar arc and it is influenced by the thrust of
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70 European-African plates (e.g., Caire, 1971; Cohen, 1980; Bouillin, 1986 ; Dercourt et al.,
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71 1986, 2000 ; Doglioni et al., 1999 ; Michard et al., 2008 ; Frizon de Lamotte et al., 2009 ; Billi

72 et al., 2011).
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73 The Hedil study area, belonging to the Atlassic domain, shows several folded structures

(Fig. 2). Its northwestern part is occupied by Numidian unit made mainly by the Oligocene-
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74
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75 Miocene clays (e.g., Gottis, 1953, 1962; Glaçon and Rouvier, 1967; Torricelli and Biffi, 2001;

76 Riahi et al., 2010, 2014, 2015; Thomas et al., 2010; Belayouni et al., 2012). Near the front of

77 thrusted structures outcrop some clay-marly levels of Lutetian-Priabonian age (e.g., Crampon,

78 1973; Salaj et al., 1974). To the South of Jebel Choucha, the front of the thrust belt structure

79 shows an unconformity with the early Paleocene outcrops (Fig. 2) (Kujawski, 1964; Crampon,

80 1973). Towards the Northeast, the Numidian thrust is unconformable with Ypresian and

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81 Lutetian series (Fig. 2). The contact of the allochthonous with the substratum is generally

82 rather steep (e.g., Kujawski, 1964; Jauzein, 1967; Crampon, 1973; Rouvier, 1973a, 1985).

83 The tangential movements in the front of the Tellian domain are confirmed by the substratum

84 deformation (scaling of Ypresian limestones with Globigerines) in Abdallah Ben Saiden

85 region (Kujawski, 1964; Crampon, 1971).

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86 Several hypotheses have been proposed concerning the structural position of Triassic

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87 outcrops in Hedil area (Fig. 2). This evaporite facies is defined as a singular paleogeographic

88 evolution controlled by the interaction between the regional eustatic variations and the local

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89 tectonic deformations (Kujawski, 1964; Crampon, 1971; Rouvier, 1973a, 1985; Salaj et al.,

90 1974). Triassic structures in northern Tunisia fossilize many extensional and compressional

91
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episodes, related to the Triassic evaporite s rises (e.g., Perthuisot, 1978; Guiraud and
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92 Bosworth, 1997; Vila, 1995; et al., 2002; Chikhaoui et al., 2002; Zouaghi et al., 2011; Amira
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93 Ayed-Khaled et al., 2012; Masrouhi et al., 2013; Hachani et al., 2015-2016 ; Sarsar et al.,

94 2017).
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95 The objective of this work is to characterize the structure of the study area at depths and
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96 their establishment by important overlaps. In addition, we are interested to the set up of

97 evaporite series in abnormal contact with recent deposits. The study of gravity potential field
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98 responses, by different methods, aims to identify the causative bodies of gravity anomalies.
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99 2. Geological setting
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100 2.1. Lithostratigraphy

101 Hedil region shows several geological series of different ages. Triassic series outcrop

102 unconformably within Cretaceous and Tertiary series and underlined by tectonic contacts

103 (Fig. 2) (e.g., Jauzein, 1967; Biely et al., 1971; Biely and Rakus, 1972; Salaj and Bajanik,

104 1972; Burollet, 1973; Crampon, 1973; Masrouhi et al., 2008; Marzougui et al., 2015). These

105 series make elongated bodies oriented E-W in the Bazina region and NE-SW in the Kef en

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106 Nsour and Jebel el Grefa structures (Fig. 2). The Jurassic strata outcrop in Jebel Ichkeul and

107 are made of 400-450m thick dolomites and limestones (e.g., Termier, 1929; Bonnefous, 1967;

108 Biely and Rakus, 1972; Glaçon and Rouvier, 1972).

109 The early Cretaceous outcrops are represented by Aptian-Albian series to the East of

110 Jebel el Graouche. These series are composed of 675 m tick alternation of gray to black clay

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111 limestones and gray platy marls (e.g.,Caire et al., 1971; Fournier et al., 1973; Stranik et al.,

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112 1970; Batik and Pini, 1973; Batik, 1976; Salaj, 1980).

113 The Cenomanian outcrops in the Jebel el Graouche, and in the southern edge of the

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114 Triassic outcrop of Jebel Gaifa. It made of 50 to 80 m thick alternation of limestones and

115 marls (Batik, 1976; Ben Mehrez et al., 2009). The Turonian-Lower Campanian series of the

116
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Aleg Formation, makes about 700 m, and are made by clayey series with some marly-
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117 limestone intercalations. The Campanian-Maastrichtian series are formed with two principal
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118 limestone bars separated by clayey and marly-limestone alternations, with a total thickness of

119 about 400 m (Burollet, 1956; Kujawski, 1969, Caire et al., 1971, Batik, 1976).
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120 The Paleocene is dominantly made of marls with some limestones levels. This serie is
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121 1000 m thick and outcrops in the Kef el Abiod and Dir el Hallouf structures. (e.g., Kujawski,

122 1969; Biely and Rouvier, 1971; Biely, 1974). The Early Eocene (Ypresian) series comprise
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123 100 m of rich Globigerina limestones. These limestones are black and brown more marly at

the base, and contain some thin intercalations of dark gray and brown marls; whilst at the top
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124
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125 they contain nodules of black silex. These limestones are topped by marls and gray and brown

126 clays with yellow balls of dolomitic limestones of the Middle and Upper Eocene (Souar

127 Formation).The thickness of this series varies from 300 to 400 m (e.g., Jauzein and Rouvier,

128 1965; Kujawski, 1969). The Oligocene is exposed in the northwestern part of the Hedil

129 region. It is formed by clays in some localities and by quartz sandstones and conglomerates in

130 other places; its thickness does not exceeds 500 m (Kujawski, 1969; Gaudette, et al., 1975).

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131 The Miocene series, outcrop in Henchir es Soudia area, and contain remnants of glauconic

132 sandstones encountered to the south of this area. The thickness is very variable from less than

133 1000 m to more than 1500 m (Biely et al., 1974). Lowlands are filled by recent Pliocene-

134 Quaternary deposits (Kujawski, 1969; Biely and Rouvier, 1971).

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135 2.2. Tectonic framework and structural setting

136 The Hedil area, belonging to the Northwester of Tunisia, represents a part of the front of

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137 the Tellian domain. The latter is dominated by thrusting structures associated with Triassic

evaporites, that outcrop unconformably within Mesozoic and Cenozoic series (e.g. Rouvier,

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138

139 1973a, 1985; Zargouni, 1985; Bobier et al., 1991; Ben Ayed, 1993; El Euchi et al., 1998; Ben

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140 Mehrez, F., 2009; Khomsi et al., 2009; Melki et al., 2011; Haji et al., 2013-2014 ).
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141 This area makes a transition zone between two different tectonic domains; the Tellian

142 domain to the northwest, and the domain of imbrications to the southeast (Rouvier, 1973a,
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143 1985; El Euchi et al., 1998, 2004). The study area has undergone successive extensional and

144 compressional tectonic phases that have affected the north of Tunisia e.g., (Rouvier, 1973a,
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145 1985; Ben Ayed, 1993; Bel Haj Ali et al., 1998; El Euchi et al., 2004, Khomsi et al., 2009;
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146 Melki et al., 2011, 2012; Masrouhi et al., 2013; Atawa et al., 2016 Essid et al., 2016, 2018).
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147 These successive tectonic phases are proved by their impacts in the geological strata (several

148 directions of features and folded structures, reverse faults, normal faults, strike-slip faults of
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149 varied movements).

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150 The tectonic deformations have resulted in the superposition of thrust belt folds on an

151 autochthonous and para-autochtonous foreland (e.g., Burollet, 1971; Rouvier, 1973a, 1985;

152 Zargouni, 1978). These structures were deformed during the shortening Tertiary phases (e.g.,

153 Rouvier, 1973a, 1985; Boukadi, 1996; Piqué et al., 1998; Atawa et al., 2016) and

154 characterized by different structures trending NE-SW (e.g. Kef, Maksour anticline, Jebel el

155 Grefa, jebel Ballouta) (Fig. 2), and near N-S (e.g., Tabouna anticline, Bazina anticline). These

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156 structures are crossed by multidirectional features striking (Fig. 2) (e.g., Ben Ayed, 1993;

157 Caire, 1971; Perthuisot, 1978; Guiraud et Bosworth, 1997; Melki et al., 1996; Ben chelbi et

158 al., 2006; Atawa et al., 2016; Essid et al., 2016; Bejaoui et al., 2017). Several grabens

159 generally of NE-SW orientation, such as the Henchir es Soudia, Oued Sejnane, and Henchir el

160 Ourda area, are filled by Quaternary deposits (Fig. 2). The tectonic deformation are fossilized

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161 by unconformities affecting the post-Triassic sedimentary cover, they are related to the

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162 reactivation of rooted ancient faults (Melki et al., 2011).

163 Structural sections of NW-SE direction were chosen in order to highlight the geological

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164 structures related to tectonic deformations and rising of Triassic evaporites (Fig. 2).

165 The geological section AA', which crosses about 25 km of length in the center of the

166
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Hedil area, highlights several geological structures. To the NW the outcropping structures are
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167 generally delimited by faults dipping towards the NW and rarely towards the SE. The dip
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168 seems fairly strong to the southern limit of the Blelma outcrop (Fig. 3A). These features have

169 guided rising of Triassic evaporites through Cretaceous-Eocene overlying strata. The folded
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170 structures are marked by the predominance of Cretaceous series. Small low structures are
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171 filled by Quaternary deposits (Fig. 3A). The Cretaceous strata represent the outcrops of Jebel

172 Saed, Kef ech Sheba and Jebel Anntra. They are affected by deep rooted faults that have
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173 facilitated the rise of evaporites to the surface. These faults of opposite dips have induced

lacking of lower Miocene series in some localities of Henchir El Borj (Fig. 3A). To the
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174
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175 Southeastern part of the study area, the folded structures (e.g., Jebel el Kerli, Kef el Guebli,

176 Jebel Touta and Jebel Maktaa es Souane) consist of Paleogene strata (Fig. 3A). The

177 duplication of the Eocene limestone bar should be resulted from succession of compressional

178 tectonic events and fault reactivation.

179 The geological section BB', which covers about 20 km of length is chosen in order to

180 highlight the geometry of Triassic evaporites in the Bazina region. The Triassic evaporite

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181 outcrops in the central part of the Hedil area (Si Brahim, Dar el Hadj Ahmed, and Henchir el

182 Harainia structures) to the North of the Bazina structure, and further to the South in the

183 Henchir el Ouerda area (Fig. 3B). These two Triassic bodies are limited by deep faults that are

184 responsible for its rising and outcropping. The Campanian-Maastrichtian strata, of the Abiod

185 Formation, expose to the SE part of the section in Jebel Grembil, which is limited by NE-SW

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186 trending faults in the Kef en Neajar structure. Other several Cenozoic series are highlighted in

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187 different localities (Fig. 3B). The Paleocene deposits, consist of marls with yellow balls, are

188 highlighted in NW Side of Jebel el Faidjel and in the Sfaiet el Louza structures. Towards the

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189 SE part of the section, the Paleocene strata outcrop in the Chaebet Aein el Kebrit structure and

190 in the NW Side of Oued el Hammam, where these series are presented with a dip of 10° (Fig.

191 3B).
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192 3. Gravity study
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193 3.1. Gravity data

194 The data correspond to measurements of the gravity field realized by the National office
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195 of Mines (ONM) in 1999 with a spacing of 1km2. The data were merged and reduced using
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196 the 1967 International Gravity Formula. Free Air and Bouguer gravity corrections were made

using sea level as a datum and 2.4 g/cm3 as a reduction density deducted from rocks density
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197

198 measurements (Fig. 4A). The Bouguer gravity anomaly map represents a variation of gravity
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199 fields of 17 mGal (Fig. 4A). It started with a measured value of -2 mGal in Ain es Sottara,
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200 Jebel Tahent and Kef en Neajar structures situated to the south of the Hedil area. Maxima

201 values of gravity fields are measured in Jebel el Grefa, Kef el Abiod and Jebel el Berda

202 anticlines located to the northern and to the western parts of the study area. The lateral

203 distribution of gravity anomalies represent the distribution of buried geological structures.

204 Several analyzes are performed on the Bouguer anomaly map to identify the extension of

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205 buried structures and their delimitation by lineaments. The residual anomaly map was

206 obtained by elimination of the effect of regional anomalies (Fig. 4B).

207 3.2. Gravity data processing

208 Radially average power spectrum

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209 The spectral analysis technique is applied to gravity data for the first time by

210 Bhattacharyya in (1966) and then by Spector and Grant in (1970). The method is primarily

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211 based on the distribution of the frequential energy caused by great contrasts of density of the

shallow and deep bodies. It is mainly used for the separation of source energy after the

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212

213 extraction of different slopes of the spectral analysis curve. Each slope characterizes a source

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214 of anomalies at a defined depth (e.g., Dimitriadis et al., 1987; Kivior and Boyd, 1998; Nouck
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215 et al., 2006).

216 The radially averaged power spectrum of the Bouguer anomalies of Hedil area (Fig.5)
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217 shows three slopes indicative of three sources of gravity anomalies. The first slope, of low

218 frequencies and an average depth of about 4800 meters, corresponds to deep sources (Fig. 5).
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219 The second slope of intermediate frequency, showing a depth of about 1600 meters,
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220 represents the shallow Sources (Fig. 5). The third slope, which is marked by high frequencies,
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221 represents to the surface sources corresponding to the noise.

222 Residual Anomaly map

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223 The Bouguer anomaly map represents different effects of buried sources. The residual
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224 anomaly map is suitable for the characterization of the structural configuration of sedimentary

225 basins (Fig. 6). The residual gravity map presents seventeen positive anomalies and eleven

226 negative anomalies (Fig. 6) that could be described relating to the outcropping geological

227 structures (Fig. 6).

228 To the eastern part of Hedil area, the Jebel Abiod and Jebel Es Siouf structures show a

229 NE-SW oriented positive anomaly PA1 of amplitude of about 1.5 mGal that fit to the
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230 limestones of the Abiod Formation (Fig. 6). The western part is marked by the NE-SW

231 trending anomaly PA2 that is characterized by great extension and high amplitude of 2 mGal,

232 and which represents the structures of Kef el Abiod, and Jebel Sidi Ahmed towards the East

233 (Fig. 6). The Sfaiet Zitoun structure coincides by an anomaly PA3 oriented NW-SE. The Jebel

234 Ainchouna structure, which consists of upper Eocene-Oligocene series, corresponds to the

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235 anomaly PA4 of NW-SE orientation and of amplitude of about -3 mGal (Fig. 6). The anomaly

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236 PA5 of NE-SW orientation and an amplitude of about 2 mGal is superimposed with upper

237 Cretaceous strata outcropping in the Jebel el Grefa structure to the eastern part and in the Kef

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238 Maksour and in Kef ech Chaba structures to the western part (Fig. 6). The Jebel Mrharia

239 structure, which is marked by an outcropping of Triassic evaporite s, coincides with the NW-

240
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SE oriented anomaly PA6 of amplitude of about 0.5 mGal (Fig. 6). To the northeastern part of
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241 the study area, the Jebel Bel Adouani and Kef en Nsour structures that consist of Triassic
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242 deposits and Campanian-Maastrichtian strata are represented by a NE-SW oriented positive

243 anomaly PA7 of amplitude of about 2 mGal (Fig. 6). The Rjel el Kef structure oriented NE-
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244 SW with amplitude of 1.5 mGal presenting a positive anomaly PA8 (Fig. 6). The Jebel Betria
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245 structure coincides with NE-oriented anomaly PA9 of amplitude equal to 2 mGal. The near E-

246 trending PA10 of amplitude of 4 mGal superimposed with limestones of the Abiod Formation
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247 (Campanian-Maastrichtian) in Jebel Chara (Fig. 6). It is aligned towards the East with Jebel

Ben Drar-Henchir el Ouarda structure, which is characterized by a NE-oriented gravity

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248
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249 response corresponding to the anomaly PA11 of amplitude of about 3 mGal (Fig. 6). Towards

250 the South, the NE-trending anomaly AP12 of amplitude of about 0 mGal corresponds to Jebel

251 Tebaga structure (Fig. 6). PA13 of circular form and amplitude reaching 5 mGal coincides

252 with Hofret Ed Del structure, which is formed by middle and upper Cretaceous series (Fig. 6).

253 The NE-oriented Jebel el Hara structure, consists of upper Cretaceous strata, is represented by

254 PA14 anomaly of amplitude of about -0.3 mGal (Fig. 6). Jebel el Hafira and Jebel Bou Touil

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255 structures correspond to the PA15 anomaly of E-W direction and amplitude of about 2 mGal

256 (Fig. 6). The NE-trending PA16 anomaly of amplitude of about 5 mGal is superimposed with

257 Henchir Outata structure (Fig. 6). PA17 of NW-SE direction and of amplitude of 5 mGal

258 coincides with Jebel Lella Halima and Jebel Si Belhai structures that are composed of

259 limestones of the Abiod Formation (Fig. 6).

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260 The Borj Cheik Ouaness lowland of NE-SW direction is represented by a negative

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261 anomaly NA1 of amplitude of about -1 mGal (Fig. 6). NA2 NW- oriented anomaly, of

262 amplitude of about -6 mGal, superimposed with Dir el Hallouf and Hanech Oued structures

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263 that are limited to the South by the Kef Maksour structure (Fig. 6). Towards the northeastern

264 part of the Hedil study area, at the north of Jebel Ainchouna, Oued Si Nasser is marked by

265
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NA3 NW-trending anomaly of amplitude of about -6 mGal (Fig. 6). The Oued Sejnane low
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266 plain, filled by Pliocene-Quaternary deposits, reveals a negative anomaly NA4 of NE-SW
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267 orientation and amplitude of -6 mGal (Fig. 6). The Hassinia and Henchir ed Diouan structures

268 are represented by the anomaly NA5 of N-S direction and of amplitude of about -4 mGal (Fig.
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269 6). Towards the South, Jebel Dyr El Aiat structure, which is marked by Eocene limestones
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270 outcropping, coincides with the NE-oriented anomaly NA6 of amplitude of about -3 mGal

271 (Fig. 6). To the East, the Jebel Tiour Ellil structure that is represented by Cretaceous
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272 limestone deposits is marked by NE-oriented NA7 anomaly of amplitude of about -3 mGal

(Fig. 6). More to the South, Ksar Mezouar structure is superimposed with NA8 NE-trending
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273
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274 anomaly of amplitude of -4 mGal. Diar el Guechia and Jebel Tahent structures coincide with

275 the anomaly NA9 of NE-SW direction and of amplitude of -3.5 mGal (Fig. 6). Towards the

276 East a NW-trending anomaly NA10 of amplitude of about 0.4 mGal coincides with Henchir el

277 Guelta structure. NA11 of NE-SW orientation and amplitude of about -5 mGal is

278 superimposed with Henchir el Koudia and Garaet Tachegga structures (Fig. 6).

279 Horizontal gravity derivative analysis

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280 Gravity gradient techniques constitute a principal method of the gravity data

281 interpretation. These methods are useful to identify the horizontal limits of gravity sources

282 (Fedi and Florio, 2001). In this work, the gravity gradient magnitude filter is applied to the

283 residual map. This method allows us to calculate the derivations according to two different

284 known directions North-South and East-West. This formula is defined by (Blakely, 1996;

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285 Jacoby and Smilde, 2009):

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286

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287 Where and correspond respectively to the derivatives along the North-

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288 South and East-West axes.
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289 In order to highlight subsurface structural discontinuities in the Hedil area, the horizontal

290 gradient magnitude (HGM) was applied (Fig. 7A). These discontinuities were indicated by the
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291 maxima amplitudes of the processed signal. The technique of superposition of the maxima of

292 few upward continuations (maxima of Bouguer map, of up1000 m, of up2000 m, etc.), is used
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293 to characterize the vertical location of gravity lineaments (Fig. 7B).

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294 The NE-SW major and most frequent direction is represented by lineaments L1, L2, L5,
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295 L7, L8, L9, L11, L13, L15 and L16 (Fig. 7B). L1 is delimits the southern sides of Jebel Abiod

296 and Jebel Es Siouf structures. Towards the northern part, L1 separates Jebel Galb Sour from
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297 Jebel el Berda. L2 delimits the structures of Jebel el Hammam Rja El Kef and Jebel Tabouna.
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298 To the East, L5 separates Kef Maksour and Jebel Azag structures located to the South, from

299 Dir el Hallouf structure to the North (Fig. 7B). L7 reveals the anticlines structures to the north

300 of Oued Sejnane. L8 and L9 delimit the Kef en Nsour structure at its northern and southern

301 edges (Fig. 7B). To the southern part of the Hedil region, L11 separates Diar el Guechia

302 structures from Jebel Ben Drar to its southern side. Its movement continues towards the NE

303 direction separating structure of Jebel Tiour Elil from Henchir el Ouarda (Fig. 7B). The NE-

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304 oriented lineament L13 separates structure of Jebel Grefa from Jebel Ballouta. More towards

305 the North, the structure of Henchir ed Diouan is crossed by the L13 lineament (Fig. 7B).

306 Towards the South, L15 was identified at the edge separating Dir el Guechia and Jebel Hofret

307 ed Del structures. To the eastern part of the study area the Jebel Tahent structure is limited to

308 its southern side by L16 lineament (Fig. 7B). More to the northwest of Jebel Tahent, Jebel el

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309 Hara, Jebel Anntra and Jebel Tiour Ellil structures are limited by other NE-trending

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310 lineaments.

311 The E-W direction is highlighted mainly at the central part of the Hedil study area. The

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312 Triassic structure of Bazina is bordered by two lineaments of E-W orientation; L4 to its

313 northern side and L12 to its southern side (Fig. 7B). Towards the East, L4 lineament crosses

314
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Jebel Bou Touill structure. To the East, several other less important lineaments are located in
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315 the southern side of the Garaet Techegga and Jebel Ainchouna structures (Fig. 7B). Moreover,
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316 the E-W direction is highlighted to the South of Jebel Hanaya and Jebel chara (L10) structures

317 (Fig. 7B).

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318 The study area shows also lineaments of NW-SE orientation. L3 is highlighted at the
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319 eastern parts of Jebel es Siouf, Kef el Abiod structures, and Jebel Tabouna anticline (Fig. 7B).

320 L6 separates Jebel Saad Moun from Jebel Ainchouna to the North, and Jebel Azag, Jebel
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321 Grefa and Henchir ed Diouane structures to the South (Fig. 7B).

The N-S direction is seldom encountered in the Hedil area. L14, which is highlighted in the
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322
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323 eastern part of Hedil study area, separates Henchir Outata and Jebel si Belhaj structures to the

324 East, from Henchir el Guelta and Henchir es Soudia structures to the West (Fig. 7B).

325 Euler deconvolution

326 The Euler deconvolution method (Thompson, 1982; Reid et al., 1990) is used to estimate

327 the sources depth responsible of gravity and magnetic anomalies. Depth is determined from

328 the Euler homogeneity equation (Thompson, 1982; Reid and al., 1990). This process uses the

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329 gravity field and its components at the location of the causative source with a degree of

330 homogeneity known as the structural index (SI).

331

332 Where is the position of the gravity source; B: is the regional gravity field; N: the

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333 structural index (SI). The method consists in defining an appropriate SI value and using the

334 least squares inversion method to solve the equation for an optimal x0, y0, z0 and B. In

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335 addition, a square window size must be determined; it consists of the cells number in the

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336 gridded dataset to be used in the localities of the selected solutions.

337 The Euler deconvolution map of the Hedil area reveals presence of four main directions of

338 different importance:

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339 (i) The NE-SW dominant direction of cluster lineaments delimits the majority of

340 structures in the study area. These cluster lineaments can reach a depth of 1000 meters (Fig.
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341 8). This major direction delimits the southernn sides of Jebel Abiod and Jebel es Siouf (Fig.
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342 8). This direction crosses Jebel Galb Sour structure to its Southern side and borders the Kef
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343 Nsour structure (Fig. 8). The structure of Jebel el Hammam to the West of sector is limited to

344 its Southern part by NE-aligned solutions (Fig. 8). Towards the southern part of the Hedil
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345 area, the elevated structure of Hofret ed Del is bordered to its northwestern edge by NE-

346 trending lineament solutions (Fig. 8). Towards the East of the study area, Kef Maksour and
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347 Jebel el Grefa structures are bordered by a NE-oriented cluster lineament (Fig. 8).
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348 (ii) The E-W is the second prominent direction in the Hedil area. The cluster lineaments

349 exceed a depth of 1500 m (Fig. 8). The Triassic structure of Bazina is limited by two E-

350 oriented solutions (Fig. 8). Jebel Chara and Jebel Hanaya structures are limited to its southern

351 sides by an E-W aligned clusters that can reach a depth of about 1500 m (Fig. 8). The

352 structure of R' Jal el Kef is bordered in the Southern side by a lineament which exceed a depth

353 of about 2100 m (Fig. 8).

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354 (iii) The NW-SE direction was highlighted in Jebel Saad Moun structure, where it exceeds

355 a depth of about 2000 m (Fig. 8).

356 (iv) The NS direction trending is highlighted by a lineament located between Kef Abiod

357 and Jebel Tabouna structures (Fig. 8).

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358 3.3. Gravity Inversion

359 The aim of the geophysical data inversion method is to create quantitative models of the

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360 earth. It tries to recover the density and / or the magnetic susceptibility in a 3D model to

361 correlate it with the surface geology (Toushmalani and Saibi, 2015a, b; Bersi et al., 2016).

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362 Geological modeling and the understanding of the phenomena blamed require complex and

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363 very detailed dissection geological information as well as the arrangement space of the
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364 physical properties in the basement (density). Physical proprieties are accessible in a direct

365 and specific way by boreholes or in an indirect way by an interpretation of the geophysical
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366 data generally measured on the surface.

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367
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368
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369 With n is the number of geophysical data; is the observed data at location i; is
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370 the predated data at location i; and is the standard deviation; is the weighting of

371 proximity degree of the reference model; , , and determine smoothing in the x, y, and

372 z directions respectively; m is the model; m0 is the reference model.

373 The inversion is one of the methods of geophysical interpretation. It is used to quantify

374 the sources responsible for the observed anomalies. Obtained models by inversions

375 independent of each geophysical method can have different results from/to each other,
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376 because both of these methods is sensitive to a contrast of physical property, in the case of

377 gravity, the method is sensitive to the distribution of the density. The regional gravity

378 potential field was obtained by computing the third-order trend from the Bouguer anomaly

379 data. The residual anomaly is obtained from the subtraction of the regional from that of the

380 Bouguer anomaly. The inversion domain of the Hedil region is expressed in nx = 50 by ny =

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381 45 by nz = 10 the cube is dimensioned 1250m * 1250m * 625m. The total number of prisms

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382 that cover the area is 11420.

383 An inversion of the gravity data is achieved with the measured data in the Hedil area. The

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384 model computed by inversion reproduced the data with an average quadratic error of 0,1

385 mGal between the data and the synthetic response of the model (Fig. 9). Many surface units

386
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are detected and presented subvertical edges in-depth. The lateral extensions of the units tend
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387 to become blurred while the depth increases, which is normal since resolution and accuracy
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388 decrease with the depth. Two sections (Fig.10), oriented NW-SE and matching with the

389 section AA’ and BB’ of Fig. 2A, are extracted from the synthetic model of density contrast
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390 (Fig. 9). The obtained results are interpreted on the basis of outcropping geological data that
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391 characterize the Hedil region.

392 In its northern part, the Dar ech cheik Amor ben Ali low is represented by a negative
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393 anomaly of about 3000 m of depth (Fig. 10A), which could be correspond to a synclinal

structure. Jebel Saed and Kef ech cheba, marked by outcropping of Mesozoic series, are
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394
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395 represented by a positive anomaly, which should correspond to a deep source of high density

396 (Fig. 10A). Si Mellouli structure is represented by a negative anomaly of 4000 m deep,

397 bordered by two shallow lineaments (Fig. 10A). This anomaly could correspond to the gravity

398 response of Triassic evaporite facies. The Henchir el Harch and Jebel Anntra structures,

399 which are marked by Mesozoic outcrops, are represented by two superficial positive

400 anomalies (Fig. 10A). They are separated by Henchir el Borj low, which is filled by the

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401 Cenozoic series. In the central part, the Henchir Gandouza structure is represented by a

402 negative anomaly corresponding to a synclinal structure filled by quaternary deposits (Fig.

403 10A). Oued Bou Dissa low is represented by a deep positive anomaly (Fig. 10A), reflecting

404 the location of the Mesozoic series. The synclinal structure of Jebel el Kerli, formed by the

405 Paleocene series, shows a positive anomaly (Fig. 10A) that seems to be related to deep source.

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406 The kef el Guebli and Jebel Touta structures are represented by a superficial positive

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407 anomaly, of which outcropping series are of Paleogene age. Oued el Abbes low,

408 corresponding to a synclinal structure filled by Quaternary deposits, is marked by a shallow

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409 negative gravity response (Fig. 10A). Towards the extreme southeast of the section, the Jebel

410 Maktaa es Souane shows Mesozoic outcropping series that are represented by a positive

411 gravity response (Fig. 10A).

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412 The Section BB', of NW-SE direction (Fig.2), was chosen at the exact location of the
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413 geological section bearing the same name. The Jebel Bou Djebla structure, at the north of the

414 section, is characterized by a positive anomaly of 3000 m of depth (Fig. 10B). Further south,
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415 Oued Si Said and Sfaiet el Louza are marked by a negative anomaly (Fig. 10B). The structure
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416 of Dar el Hadj Ahmed is represented by a deep positive anomaly (Fig. 10B). The Henchir el

417 Harainia depression is marked by a negative anomaly (Fig. 10B) indicating a low density
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418 deposits. This anomaly is delimited by limestones of Campanian age in the North and lake

limestones of Miocene-Pliocene age in the South. In the central part of the section, the Bordj
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419
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420 Cheikh Belkacem structure is represented by a positive anomaly of 3500 m of depth, which

421 coincides with the Miocene-Pliocene limestones (Fig. 10B). The Si bou Loggata and Oued el

422 Hammam structures, which are filled by Cenozoic series, are characterized by a negative

423 anomaly (Fig. 10B). To the south, the structures of Henchir el Ouerda, Chaebet Aein el Kebrit

424 and Kef en Neajar are represented by a positive anomaly of about 5000 m of depth (Fig. 10B).

425 4. Source depth via Continuous Wavelet Transform

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426 The wavelet transform technique is introduced in the analysis of potential fields by

427 Moreau in 1999. It is used for location of the potential field sources, starting from the maxima

428 lines of the coefficients of the wavelet transform, which converge to a source point

429 (Grossmann, 1986; Mallat et al., 1992, 2000). Depth, degree of homogeneity and sources

430 inclination or dip, are the main results sought by this technique (Moreau et al., 1997; Hornby

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431 et al., 1999; Boukerbout et al., 2003; Fedi and Florio, 2001; et al., 2004; Sailhac et al., 2009).

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432 The wavelet transform of a function , for dilatation a, is defined as a

433 convolution product;

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434 AN
435 Where is the dilated wavelet defined by = ) and ψ(x), x , is the

436 analyzing wavelet.

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437 The gravity profile CC', of NW-SE direction and of about 30 km of length, was chosen
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438 approximately at location of the geological and inversion section AA' (Figs. 2 and 11A). To
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439 the Southeast, the profile begins with Oued el Abbès low and Jebel Tahent Mountain, which

440 are marked by negative values of the Bouguer anomaly. To the central part, the gravity profile
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441 passes through Jebel Anntra, jebel el Nadour and Kef Maksour structures, whose values of the

442 Bouguer anomaly gradually increase to 13 mGal (Fig. 11A). More towards the Northwest, Dir
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443 el Hallouf low and Jebel Ainchouna structure are represented by high values of Bouguer
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444 anomaly (Fig. 11A). Along the profile CC', the entropy maximum shows that depths of the

445 top of sources range from 5 km to 18 km, at the structures of Oued el Abbès and Dir el

446 Hallouf respectively (Fig. 11C). The wavelet transform (Fig. 11B) shows two contacts

447 identified at latitudes 4082 km, at the northern flank of the Oued el Abbès low, and 4100 km

448 in Dir el Hallouf structure (Fig. 11C). These contacts are located at depths of about 12 km

449 (Fig. 11C), with an inclination of 80°, and 17 km with an inclination of 50 ° (Fig. 11D). The

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450 top of the structure at the centre the profile, at the level of Jebel el Nadour, is located at a

451 depth of about 11 km (Fig. 11C).

452 The gravity profile DD', of NW-SE direction (Figs. 2 and 12A), was chosen

453 approximately at location of the geological and inversion section BB'. The section DD' passes

454 through Dar el Guechia and Jebel Tiour Ellil structures at the southeastern part, whose values

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455 of the Bouguer anomaly are negative (Fig. 12A). At its central part, the profile DD' of a

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456 Bouguer anomaly ranging from 5 to 8 mGal, crosses Bazina and Sfaiet Zitoun structures (Fig.

457 12A). To the Northwest, the profile DD' that crosses Jebel Bou Djebla and Kef Rhanem

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458 structures, shows a Bouguer anomaly of about 10 mGal and reaches 12 mGal towards its

459 northern part (Fig. 12A). The maximum entropy identifies the depth of the top of sources

460
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along the profile between 4 and 13 km (Fig. 12C). The wavelet transform (Fig. 12B) shows
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461 the signature of two contacts, identified by the maximum entropy (Fig. 12C) at latitudes 4082
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462 km (Dar el Guechia structure) and 4100 km (Kef Rhanem structure), with respective depths of

463 7 km and 6 km (Fig. 12C). The phase of the wavelet transform identifies these two contacts
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464 with respective tilt of 80° and 90° (Fig. 12D). In the Bazina and Sfaiet Zitoun structures
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465 (latitudes 4088 km and 4093 km) appears a structure whose top is at about 8 km of depth (Fig.

466 12C). On both sides of this structure, two contacts are showed; the first at latitude 4087 km
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467 (Henchir el Ourda structure), located at the depth of 8 km (Fig. 12C), with a tilt of about 135°

(Fig. 12D). The second contact, which is highlighted at latitude 4093 km (Sfaiet Zitoun
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468
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469 structure), is located at the depth of 9 km (Fig. 12C), with a tilt of about 140° (Fig. 12D).

470 5. Discussion

471 Gravity study in the Hedil region provides new results showing the deep structures.

472 Gravity processings (horizontal gradient magnitude, Euler and inversion) were completed by

473 wavelet transformed method, and then correlated to field faults and structures. The new

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474 results obtained in this study are considered a scientific complement to structural previous

475 studies in the Hedil study area.

476 Subsurface geological structures are affected by deep features that generally delineate uplifted

477 structures corresponding to folds, overthrusts and imbrications, and relatively deep structures

478 corresponding to subsiding symmetric and asymmetric synclines, grabens and half-grabens

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479 (Figs. 6, 13, and 14). According to Cohen et al. (1980), the geometries of the outcropping

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480 geological structures suggest a detachment horizon at the level of the evaporite layers during

481 the folding events. At the time of the contractional tectonic movements, the evaporites

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482 penetrate into the core of the anticlines and, consequently, contributed in the displacement and

483 migration of the superficial geological units.

484
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Moreover, the present work highlights location and geometry of deep sources of
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485 anomalies that are associated with major faults systems (Fig. 14). These deep structures
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486 should be induced consequently by movements and kinematics of regional inherited features.

487 The current structural scheme of the study area consists mainly of folded structures, Triassic
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488 rising intruded bodies, major overthrusts associated with master reverse faults of NE-SW and
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489 E-W orientation, and strike-slip faults of NW-SE, N-S and E-W orientation (Figs. 13 and 14).

490 these structures seem to be related to a tectonic inheritance marked by major extensive and
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491 compressive successive tectonic events, whose most remarkable are compressive phases of

upper Miocene to Quaternary age (e.g., Crampon, 1973; Cohen, 1980; Rouvier, 1985;
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492
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493 Bouaziz et al., 2002; El Euchi et al., 2004; Mauffret et al., 2004; Rekhiss, 2007; Ben Mehrez

494 et al., 2009; Frizon de Lamotte et al., 2009; Khomsi et al., 2009; Zouaghi et al., 2010, 2011;

495 Melki et al., 2011, 2012 ).

496 The division of the Hedil area into small blocks seems to be related, essentially to NE-

497 trending major directions (Fig. 13). These dominant features correspond, in outcrop, to

498 anticline folds, overthrusts and imbrications, which are associated with faults overlapping to

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499 south-east with a non-negligible transcurrent component (e.g., Crampon, 1973; Rouvier,

500 1973a, 1985; Ben Ayed, 1994; Boukadi, 1996; Melki el al., 2011, 2012; Marzougui et al.,

501 2015). The second group of faults, which delimit structures in Hedil region, is represented by

502 the direction E-W, NO-SE and N-S (Fig. 13). These oriented features correspond to strike-slip

503 faults, which are well highlighted regionally, at the scale of North Africa (Ben Ayed, 1994;

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504 Boukadi, 1996; Melki el al., 2011, 2012; Zouaghi et al., 2011).

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505 Successive syn-sedimentary tectonic movements have induced structuring and filling of

506 Mesozoic and Cenozoic basins (e.g., Ben Ayed, 1994; Boukadi, 1996; Kadri et al., 1999; Ben

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507 Chelbi et al., 2006; Ben Mehrez et al., 2009; Melki el al., 2011, 2012; Zouaghi et al., 2011;

508 Masrouhi et al., 2013; Marzougui et al., 2015). The geometric variations of shallow and

509
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subsurface structures are highlighted by local collapse phenomena accompanied by erosion
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510 truncations along high folded zones.
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511 In the Hedil region, the Eocene deposits show lateral and vertical variations (Fig. 3),

512 testifying to the tectonic and/or eustatic control. The late Paleocene-Eocene interval is marked
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513 by a regional contractional tectonic regime described, in northern Tunisia, by several authors
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514 (e.g., Erraoui, 1994; El Ouardi, 2002; Mzali and Zouari, 2006; Masrouhi et al., 2008; Talbi et

515 al., 2008; Khomsi et al., 2009; Melki et al., 2011, 2012). Major faults and strike-slip faults of
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516 N-S, NE-SW and E-W orientation appear to have impact on the paleogeography and

structuring of Eocene series in northern Tunisia. The Hedil area reveals folds and
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517
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518 unconformities in the Ypresian bars that should be related to the Pyrenean orogenic phase.

519 These folds are sealed by marls of the upper Eocene and especially by clay-sandstone

520 alternations of Numidian. The Paleocene-Eocene orogenic period was related to the global

521 shortening in the western Mediterranean marked by the rapprochement of the African and the

522 European plates (e.g., Boccaletti and Guazzone, 1974; Rehault et al., 1984).

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523 The Tortonian (late Miocene) major compressional tectonic event has induced genesis of

524 folds, overthrusts and imbricated structures of small radius of curvature, more frequent in the

525 south-eastern part of the Hedil region. Majority of old features have been reactivated during

526 this paroxysmal phase. Tectonic inversion of the majority of preexisting normal faults has

527 induced genesis of the current thrusting structures.

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528 Kef en Nsour, Jebel el Grefa and Jebel Tiour Ellil are known by outcrops of Triassic

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529 evaporite deposits, which are also located along the Ras El-Korane Thibar-Ouenza regional

530 fault. The E-oriented Triassic mass at the Bazina structure is delimited by lineaments

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531 corresponding to edge faults that bring evaporite facies into contact with adjacent Mesozoic

532 and Cenozoic series (Figs. 2 and 13). This Triassic body is represented on the extracted

533
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inversion section (Fig. 10B) and the transform wavelet section (Figs. 12 and 14) by a well
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534 differentiated positive anomaly of high density, compared to the neighboring series. Master
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535 faults that subdivide the basement into separated blocks below Cenozoic and Mesozoic series

536 (Fig. 14) seem guide the structural evolution and sedimentary lap-out in north Tunisia. Rising
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537 of Triassic bodies seems to be caused by uplifting of Paleozoic series (Batik, 1977). Evaporite
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538 ascentions, which were started during the Mesozoic extensional tectonic phases, were guided

539 by deep rooted normal faults. Tertiary dominated compressional tectonics contributed to the
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540 deformation of these saliferous structures, and consequently influenced the folding style of the

neighboring sedimentary series.

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541
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542 6. Conclusions

543 Gravity studies of Hedil geological structures using different processings, inversion and

544 wavelet transform techniques, and their correlation with field data, allowed us to better

545 understand the geometry of the basins and its structuring in subsurface. The geological

546 sections show varied geometry and intense deformation, marked by frequent tectonic contacts.

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547 Qualitative and quantitative gravity analyzes and wavelet transforms highlight lineaments

548 corresponding to sealed tectonic contacts.

549 Maxima of the horizontal gradient and Euler deconvolution maps, obtained during the

550 gravity processings, show varied lineaments, whose the majority are located between 2000

551 and 4000 m of depth. The dominant NE-SW direction corresponds to principal outcropping

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552 structures, which are represented by folds, thrusts and imbrications that characterize the Hedil

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553 area. This NE-SW dominant direction fossilizes structures that are related to the NW-SE

554 Atlassic major compressional events. The E-W, NW-SE, and rarely N-S directions are also

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555 highlighted; they seem to play an important role in the strike-slip movement of blocks and

556 their tilting along various directions. These directions could explain the strike slip fault

557
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movements during NW-SE compressional tectonic events. The obtained gravity lineaments
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558 testify a geometrical heterogeneity in subsurface. Indeed, the directional diversity should be
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559 induced by successive tectonic constraints of varied directions.

560 The gravity inversion models highlight the different geometries of the deep structures and
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561 their lateral extensions. The gravity lineaments have important role in the separation of
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562 geological domains in Hedil region. Some structures, which are characterized by high depths,

563 are alternated with superficial structures. Tectonic movements along NE-SW and E-W deep
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564 rooted faults have induced deformation and structuring of basins. To the North of the Hedil

region, some structures (e.g., Jebel el Berda, Jebel Ainchouna and Oued Sejnane low) of
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565
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566 negative gravity anomalies correspond to a domain, which is marked by the predominance of

567 Cenozoic series. In the central part of the study area, other structures (e.g., Dahrat en Nefguia,

568 Jebel es Siouf, Kef Abiod, Jebel el Hammam, Jebel Tabouna, Kef Maksour, Henchir el

569 Guelta, Jebel Mrharia and Kef en Nsour) are represented by positive responses, related to

570 position of Mesozoic strata. To the southern part, some other structures such as Dir Bou

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571 Arrouje, Jebel Tiour Ellil, Henchir el Ouarda, jebel el Annz and Jebel Tahent, which are

572 marked by negative gravity anomalies, are represented by Cenozoic series.

573 Application of the wavelet transform method allowed us to characterize the principal

574 structures, which are delimited by deep features, responsible for major tectonic deformations.

575 The contacts highlighted at 7 km and 6 km, the structures of Dar el Guechia and Kef Rhanem

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576 respectively, are located at the closure of large sedimentary basins in the Hedil area. Contacts

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577 detected at 8 km and 9 km, at the level of the structures of Henchir el Ouarda and Sfaiet

578 Zitoun respectively, which are associated with the Bazina structure, are responsible for

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579 uplifting of ante-Triassic structures. Consequently, rising of Triassic bodies and its

580 outcropping should be caused by uplifting of underlying Paleozoic series, related to major

581 movement along deep master faults.

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582 Acknowledgements
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583 This study was carried out in the Center of Research and Water Technologies (CERTE),

584 Borj Cédria Technopole, and financed by the Secretarial of Scientific Research and
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585 Technology (SERST) of Tunisia. We would like to express our gratitude and thanks to the
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586 National office of Mines (ONM) of Tunisia for providing the gravity data. We are especially
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587 indebted to the members of the geophysics team, of the Algerian Astronomy, Astrophysics

588 and Geophysical Research Center (CRAAG), for their invaluable technical and scientific
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589 contribution.
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590 References

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592 1/50.000. Office Nat. Min., Serv. Géol., Tunisie.

593 Alyahyaoui, S., Zouari, H., 2014. Synsedimentary folding process and transtensive tectonic
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596 Atawa, M., Zouaghi, T., Souei, A., 2016. Gravity constraints on the underground structural
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602 Batik, P., Pini, S., 1973. Mise en évidence du Crétacé inférieur et du Cénomanien-Turonien
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609 Bejaoui, H., Aïfa, T., Melki, F., Zargouni, F., 2017. Structural evolution of Cenozoic basins in
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610 northeastern Tunisia, in response to sinistral strike-slip movement on the El Alia-
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612 Belayouni, H., Guerrera, F., Martín-Martín, M., Serrano, F., 2012. Stratigraphic update of the
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614 tectonic/sedimentary evolution and correlations along the Maghrebian Chain. J. Afr.
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616 Belayouni, H., Guerrera, F., Martín-Martín, M., Serrano, F., 2013. Paleogeographic and
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622 Bel Haj Ali, M., Chihi, L., Rabhi, M., 1998. Le Néogène de Tunisie: Analyse des séries
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905 source for the Cenozoic Numidian Flysch: implications for the palaeogeography of the

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906 western Mediterranean basin. Earth Sci. Rev. 101, 1-23.
907 Tlig, S., Erraoui, L., Ben Aissa, L., Alouani, R., Tagorti, M.A., 1991. Tectogenèses alpine et
908 atlasique: deux événements distincts dans l’histoire géologique de la Tunisie Corrélation

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909 avec les événements clés en Méditerranée. C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris 312, 295-301.
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910 Torricelli, S., Biffi, U., 2001. Palynostratigraphy of the Numidian Flysch of Northern Tunisia
911 (Oligocene-early Miocene). Palynology 25, 29–55.
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912 Toushmalani, R., Saibi, H., 2015a. 3D gravity inversion using Tikhonov regularization. Acta
913 Geophys. 63 (4), 1044-1065.
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914 Toushmalani, R., Saibi, H., 2015b. Fast 3D Inversion of Gravity Data Using Lanczos
915 Bidiagonalization Method. Arab. J. Geosci. 8, 4969–4981
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916 Vila, J.M., 1995. Première étude de surface d’un grand ‘‘glacier de sel’’ sous-marin: l’est de
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918 scenario de mise en place et comparaisons. Bull. Soc. Géol. France 166, 149–167.
919 Vila, J.M., Ghanmi, M., Ben Youssef, M., Jouirou, M., 2002. Les ‘‘glaciers de sel’’ sous
marins des marges continentales passives du nord-est du Maghreb (Algérie-Tunisie) et
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921 de la Gulf Coast (USA): comparaisons, nouveau regard sur les ‘‘glaciers de sel’’
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922 composites, illustré par celui de Fedj el Adoum (Nord-Ouest tunisien) et revue globale.
923 Eclogae Geol. Helv. 95, 347–380.
924 Wildi, W., 1983. La chaîne tello-rifaine (Algérie, Maroc, Tunisie): structure, stratigraphie et
925 evolution du Trias au Miocène. Rev. Geol. Dyn. Geog. Phys. Paris 24 (3), 201-297.
926 Yaïch, C., Hooyberghs, H.J.F., Durlet, C., Renard, M., 2000. Corrélation stratigraphique entre
927 les unités oligo-miocènes de Tunisie centrale et le Numidien. C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris 331,
928 499-506.

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929 Zargouni, F., 1978. Analyse structurale de la chaîne de Lansarine (zone des diapirs, Atlas
930 tunisien). Bull. Soc. Sci. Nat. Tunis. 13, 97-104.
931 Zargouni, F., 1985. Tectonique de l’Atlas méridional de Tunisie. Évolution géométrique et
932 cinématique des structures en zones de cisaillement. Unpublished Tthesis, Doctorat
933 d’Etat, Université Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg (France), 296 p.
934 Zouaghi, T., Melki, F., Bédir, M., Zargouni, F., 2010. Sequence stratigraphy, tectonic

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935 deformation, and geodynamic evolution of Paleogene-Neogene deposits, northeastern
936 foreland Basins, Tunisia. In: 12th Tunisian Petroleum Exploration Production

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937 Conference, Tunis, October 11-16, p. 79.
938 Zouaghi, T., Bédir, M., Melki, F., Gabtni, H., Gharsalli, R., Bessioud, A., Zargouni, F., 2011.

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939 Neogene sediment deformations and tectonic features of northeastern Tunisia: evidence
940 for paleoseismicity. Arab. J. Geosci. 4, 1301-1314.

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941 Figures
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942 Fig.1. Geological and tectonic setting of northern Tunisia. (A) General geological and tectonic
943 pattern map showing the main structural domains of North Africa (Michard et al., 2008
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944 in Frizon de Lamotte et al., 2009). (B) Structural framework of northern Tunisia
945 showing master hercynian faults affecting the Atlas and its foreland domain. Geologic
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946 outcrops and features are represented based on the 1/500.000 geological map of Tunisia
947 (Castany, 1951; Ben Hadj Ali et al., 1985; Melki et al., 2012).
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948 Fig.2: Geological setting of the Hedil study area. (A) Map of outcropping geological series
(Roomier, 1973b; Batik, 1976; Limos, 1980; Belly, et al., 1982; Four net, 1994;
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950 Alumni, et al., 2006). (B) Field faults with its diagram rose diagram, showing the main
951 directions.
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952 Fig.3: Interpreted NW-oriented geological cross sections, with Boggier and residual gravity
953 anomalies, extracted from geological maps and field data. (A) Section AA' passes
954 through the eastern part of the Basin structure, crossing Kef Masseur, Jebel Angara, and
955 Jebel Talent main structures. (B) Section BB' passes through the central part of the
956 Basin structure, crossing Kef Rhine, Saied Zion, Bazina, and Jebel Tour Elli main
957 structures.

958 Fig.4: (A) Boggier anomaly map of the Hedil study area using a density of 2.40 g /cm3 for
959 correction. (B) Extracted regional anomaly map.

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960 Fig.5: Radically averaged power spectrum of the Boggier anomalies of the Hedil study area.
961 Gravity depth estimation based on linear segments of the energy decay curve.

962 Fig.6: Residual anomaly map (A) of the Hedil study area coupled with the geological map
963 (B), showing relation between anomaly position and geological structures.

964 Fig.7: (A) Horizontal gradient magnitude (HGM) maps of the horizontal derivatives of the x

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965 and y directions. (B) Maxima of the horizontal gradient determined from the upward-
966 continued gravity data, superimposed on the Horizontal gradient Magnitude.

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967 Fig.8: (A) Euler solutions map for structural index = 0, superimposed on the residual map
968 (window size: 10*10, relative error: 15 %).

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969 Fig. 9: 3D inversion model obtained by 3D voxi based on Cartesian mesh method, showing

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970 the deep distribution of the density contrast value, which is related directly to the
971 response of geological structures.
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972 Fig. 10: The two cross sections (AA' and BB') of density contrast extracted from the 3D
973 inversion model. The section is coupled by lineaments obtained from the maxima map
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974 of figure 7.

975 Fig. 11: Profile (CC’) of SE-NW direction, showing identification of anomalies causative
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976 bodies for complete Bouguer gravity using the continuous wavelet transform. (A)
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977 Bouguer gravity anomaly; (B) Coefficients of the wavelet transform; (C) Maximum
978 entropy section giving the depth of identified structures; (D) Phase map in degrees,
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979 indicating tilting of geological contacts.

980 Fig. 12: Profile (DD’) of SE-NW direction, showing identification of anomalies causative
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981 bodies for complete Bouguer gravity using the continuous wavelet transform. (A), (B),
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982 (C), (D), are the same of figure 12.

983 Fig. 13: (A) Structural framework proposed for the Hedil area. (B) Structural model
984 superimposed on the geological map. (C) Rose diagrams of field faults, gravity
985 lineaments, and field faults and lineaments together.

986 Fig. 14: Combination and comparison of NW-SE interpreted cross sections of field geology,
987 inversion, and wavelet transform.

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988 (A) Sections crossing the eastern end of the Bazina structure; (a) Geological section (AA’)
989 coupled with the Bouguer anomaly profile; (b) Profile of inversion along the section
990 (AA’); (c) Maximum entropy section (CC’).
991 (B) Sections crossing the centre of the Bazina structure; (a) Geological section (BB’) coupled
992 with the Bouguer anomaly profile; (b) Profile of inversion along the section (BB’); (c)
993 Maximum entropy section (DD’).

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Highlights

This work proposes a structural framework for the Hedhil area.

The gravity processing and the continuous wavelet transform led to extraction of

structural lineaments and to precise their dips and depths.

The gravity inversion models highlight the lateral and vertical extension of anomalies.

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Rising of Triassic evaporitic bodies was caused by uplifting of underlying Paleozoic

series.

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The obtained structuring is related to the African/European plate tectonic motions.

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