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North African Cretaceous Carbonate Platform Systems pp 53–81Cite as

The Growth and Migration of Two Turonian Rudist-Bearing Carbonate Platforms in Central Tunisia. Eustatic and Tectonic Controls

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Part of the book series: NATO Science Series ((NAIV,volume 28))

Abstract

Between the Early and Middle Turanian times, two rudist-bearing carbonate platforms developed successively in Central Tunisia: the Gattar platform (Lower Turanian), and the Biréno platform (Middle Turanian). They were controlled mainly by eustasy and tectonics.

According to analysis of the vertical faciès variations, and considering the major unconformities and regional correlations, the Gattar and the Biréno platforms were related to the early high stand and the late high stand respectively of a sea level fluctuation, correlatable with the UZA-2.5 global cycle. Sediment progradation induced the migration of the carbonate platforms basinwards.

The Turanian structural framework controlled the geographical extension of these platforms, since they were restricted to relatively narrow and more or less tilted blocks, wedged by the major faults of Central Tunisia. Tectonics also governed the platform morphology; the first platform corresponds to a ramp whereas the second one developed as a shelf with raised rims.

The rudists, whose growth was related to both eustatic and tectonic factors, have in turn marked the platform edge with a discontinuous congregation belt.

The shift from the Gattar platform to the Biréno one as well as the transition to the northern open marine domain may be observed particularly in the Jebel M’rhila area.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sciences Faculty of Sfax-Laboratory (3E), Sfax, 3018, Tunisia

    J. Touir & M. Soussi

  2. Sciences Faculty of Sfax-Research Unity UR/99/10-04, Tunis, 1008, Tunisia

    J. Touir & M. Soussi

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  1. J. Touir
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  2. M. Soussi
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Departament de Geologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain

    Eulàlia Gili

  2. Departement des Sciences de la Terre, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia

    Mohamed El Hédi Negra

  3. Department of Earth Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, Great Britain

    Peter W. Skelton

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Touir, J., Soussi, M. (2003). The Growth and Migration of Two Turonian Rudist-Bearing Carbonate Platforms in Central Tunisia. Eustatic and Tectonic Controls. In: Gili, E., El Hédi Negra, M., Skelton, P.W. (eds) North African Cretaceous Carbonate Platform Systems. NATO Science Series, vol 28. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-0015-4_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-0015-4_4

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