Recent and active deformation pattern off the easternmost Algerian margin, Western Mediterranean Sea: New evidence for contractional tectonic reactivation

Kherroubi, A.; Déverchère, Jacques; Yellès, Abdelkarim; Lépinay, Bernard Mercier de; Domzig, A.; Cattaneo, Antonio; Bracène, Rabah; Gaullier, Virginie; Graindorge, David

doi:10.1016/j.margeo.2008.05.016

Cited by 81 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 56 publications

(62 reference statements)

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“…In the Tell offshore, high resolution seismic data reveal a set of young or still active fault-related folds at the toe of the Central and Eastern Algerian margin interpreted as the trace of a possible subduction initiation of the young Algerian Basin beneath Africa (Déverchère et al, 2005;Domzig et al, 2006;Kherroubi et al, 2009). If correct, it should represent the inception of a new slab reversal after the one occurring at 35 Ma after the closure of the western Ligurian Tethys.…”

Section: The Late Tortonian-pliocene-to-present (R) Evolutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Tell-Rif orogenic system (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia) and the structural heritage of the southern Tethys margin

Leprêtre

Lamotte

Combier

et al. 2018

BSGF - Earth Sci. Bull.

102

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-The Tell-Rif (Tell in Algeria and Tunisia; Rif in Morocco) is the orogenic system fringing to the south the West Mediterranean basins. This system comprises three major tectonic-palaeogeographic zones from north to south: (1) the internal zones (AlKaPeCa for Alboran, Kabylies, Peloritan, Calabria) originating from the former northern European margin of the Maghrebian Tethys, (2) the "Flyschs zone" regarded as the former cover of the oceanic domain and (3) the external zones, forming the former southern Maghrebian Tethys margin more or less inverted. The Tell-Rif is interpreted as the direct result of the progressive closure of the Maghrebian Tethys until the collision between AlKaPeCa and Africa and, subsequently, the propagation of the deformation within Africa. This gives a consistent explanation for the offshore Neogene geodynamics and most authors share this simple scenario. Nevertheless, the current geodynamic models do not completely integrate the Tell-Rif geology. Based on the analysis of surface and sub-surface data, we propose a reappraisal of its present-day geometry in terms of geodynamic evolution. We highlight its non-cylindrical nature resulting from both the Mesozoic inheritance and the conditions of the tectonic inversion. During the Early Jurassic, we emphasize the development of NE-SW basins preceding the establishment of an E-W transform corridor connecting the Central Atlantic Ocean with the Ligurian Tethys. The Maghrebian Tethys developed just after, as the result of the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous left-lateral spreading between Africa and Iberia. By the Late Cretaceous, the occurrence of several tectonic events is related to the progressive convergence convergence between the two continents. A major pre-Oligocene (pre-35 Ma) compressional event is recorded in the Tell-Rif system. The existence of HP-LT metamorphic rocks associated with fragments of mantle in the External Metamorphic Massifs of the Eastern Rif and Western Tell shows that, at that time, the western part of the North-African margin was involved in a subduction below a deep basin belonging to the Maghrebian Tethys. At the same time, the closure of the West Ligurian Tethys through east-verging subduction led to a shift of the subduction, which jumped to the other side of AlKaPeCa involving both East Ligurian and Maghrebian Tethys. Slab rollback led to the development of the Oligo-Miocene back-arc basins of the West-Mediterranean, reworking the previous West Ligurian Tethys suture. The docking of AlKaPeCa against Africa occurred during the Late Burdigalian (17 Ma). Subsequently, the slab tearing triggered westward and eastward lateral movements that are responsible for the formation of the Gibraltar and Tyrrhenian Arcs respectively. The exhumation of the External Metamorphic Massifs occurred through tectonic underplating during the westward translation of the Alboran Domain. It resulted in the formation of both foredeep and wedge-top basins younger and younger westward. The lack of these elements in the eastern part ...

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Section: The Late Tortonian-pliocene-to-present (R) Evolutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Tell-Rif orogenic system (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia) and the structural heritage of the southern Tethys margin

Leprêtre

Lamotte

Combier

et al. 2018

BSGF - Earth Sci. Bull.

102

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“…Since the bathymetric and seismic acquisition of the MARADJA surveys in 2003 and 2005, compressive structures have been described in many locations of the Algerian margin [ Déverchère et al , 2005; Domzig et al , 2006; Kherroubi et al , 2009; Yelles et al , 2009]. As in other parts of the Mediterranean basins, Plio‐Quaternary deposits are strongly affected by salt tectonics (see Figures 5, 6, and 9 for instance).…”

Section: Miocene To Quaternary Evolution Offshorementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Simplified tectonic sketch of the western and central Mediterranean region, depicting main active fault structures, zones supposed to deform actively today, and parts of Cenozoic back arc basins undergoing incipient southward subduction (modified after Serpelloni et al [2007]). Numbers refer to mean horizontal strain rates (in mm y −1 ) assumed using GPS analyses (gray [ Stich et al , 2006; Serpelloni et al , 2007]; south Tyrrhenian basin [ Serpelloni et al , 2005]) or from geological record of finite deformation at sea (Algerian basin [ Kherroubi et al , 2009; Yelles et al , 2009]).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The recent (Pliocene) contractional reactivation of the Algerian margin has been first suggested in the 70s from early geophysical investigations at sea [ Auzende et al , 1972, 1975]. Further evidence for compression along the Algerian margin has recently been highlighted using new bathymetry and seismic profiles [ Déverchère et al , 2005; Domzig et al , 2006; Yelles et al , 2009; Kherroubi et al , 2009]. In this study, we focus on the along‐strike variations of the style of compressive deformation and on the influence of preexisting structures on the inversion process in order to estimate how compression reuses preexisting structures and when shortening started on the Algerian margin.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Tectonic inheritance and Pliocene-Pleistocene inversion of the Algerian margin around Algiers: Insights from multibeam and seismic reflection data

et al. 2010

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International audienceThe Algerian margin has originated from the opening of the Algerian basin about 25-30 Ma ago. The central margin provides evidence for large-scale normal faults of Oligo-Miocene age, whereas transcurrent tectonics characterizes the western margin. A set of NW-SE oriented dextral transform faults was active during basin opening and divided the 600 km long central margin into segments of ~120-150 km. The upper Miocene, Plio-Quaternary, and present-day tectonic setting is, however, compressional and supports the occurrence of a margin inversion, a process still poorly documented worldwide. We show that the central Algerian margin represents a rare example of inverted margin, where the process of subduction inception is particularly well expressed and helps understand how extensional and transtensive structures are involved in margin shortening. Using multibeam bathymetry and multichannel seismic reflection sections from the MARADJA 2003 and 2005 cruises, we evidence Pliocene-Pleistocene shortening with contrasting styles along the margin between west (Khayr Al Din bank) and east (Boumerdès-Dellys margin) of Algiers. Pre-Miocene structures such as basement highs and transform faults appear to control changes of the deformation pattern along this part of the margin, resulting in different widths, geometries, and relative positions of folds and faults. Plio-Quaternary and active blind thrust faults do not reuse Oligo-Miocene normal and transform faults during inversion, but instead grow within the continental margin (as testified for instance by the 21 May 2003 Mw 6.8 Boumerdès-Zemmouri earthquake), at the foot of the continental slope and at the northern sides of basement highs interpreted as stretched continental blocks of the rifted margin. The inherited structures of the margin appear, therefore, to determine this deformation pattern and ultimately the earthquake and tsunami sizes offshore. The complex geometry of the fault system along the Algerian margin suggests a process of initiation of subduction in its central and eastern parts

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“…The quantification of the size of the rupture area from the seismic moment helps to propose the sudden sea bottom uplift. Geological and Geophysical offshore surveys and investigations in eastern Algeria revealed several features related to destructive past events and active faults offshore and inland in the Algerian margin [21,22]. The deformation identified in soft sediments (quaternary deposits) located in the coast of Jijel are attributed to strong earthquakes (sismoslumps, seismites) [22].…”

Section: The State Of Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coastal Risk and Water Flow Analysis in Eastern Algeria (Western Mediterranean)

Amir¹,

Theilen‐Willige²

2017

ujg

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In this paper, we present the combination of tsunami modelling studies with a GIS approach to analyse the coastal flooding risk in eastern Algeria. The Jijel and Bejaia regions are well-known for their seismic and tsunami risk. The modelling was carried out with the Geoclaw software. It provided the water flow velocities in addition to water heights results for several points of interest located between the Bejaia and the Jijel coast. The simulations were based on a 7.6 magnitude earthquake offshore the Jijel bay. Maps visualizing the susceptibility to flooding were generated in ArcGIS using the GIS integrated weighted overlay tools. By aggregating and weighting morphometric factors (such as the lowest height levels and lowest slope gradients) influencing the susceptibility to flooding the coastal areas prone to inundations in case of high energetic flood waves (tsunami, storm surge, meteo .tsunami) from the sea side can be determined. The entrances of river mouths are the locations marked by the highest susceptibility to potential flooding.

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Recent and active deformation pattern off the easternmost Algerian margin, Western Mediterranean Sea: New evidence for contractional tectonic reactivation

Cited by 81 publications

References 56 publications

The Tell-Rif orogenic system (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia) and the structural heritage of the southern Tethys margin

The Tell-Rif orogenic system (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia) and the structural heritage of the southern Tethys margin

Tectonic inheritance and Pliocene-Pleistocene inversion of the Algerian margin around Algiers: Insights from multibeam and seismic reflection data

Coastal Risk and Water Flow Analysis in Eastern Algeria (Western Mediterranean)

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