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

A new Tunisian gravity map interpretation based on the Gaussian filtered residual anomaly, total horizontal gradient, and Moho discontinuity morphology established from gravity data exhibit a new regional northwest-southeast fault extending from Eastern Kairouan to Ghardimaou (Algeria-Tunisia Boundary). It presents a horizontal gradient maximum lineament that terminates the north-south Jurassic structures in the Kairouan plain. Further, this interpretation reveals other known fault systems and crustal structures in Tunisia. The new regional northwest-southeast fault constitutes with the north-south axis and Gafsa-Jefara faults the deepest faults coinciding with the Moho flexures, which had an important role in their initiation. They constitute the border intra-continental crust faults of the Mesozoic rift. The newly recognized deep fault has critical implications for mineral and petroleum perspectives.