Mise en évidence d'un nouveau front de chevauchement dans l'Atlas tunisien oriental de Tunisie par sismique réflexion. Contexte structural régional et rôle du Trias salifère

Structural interpretations of newly acquired seismic lines in northeastern Tunisia allow us to highlight a new thrust front for the Atlasic range of Tunisia, in contrast to the previously Zaghouan fault thrust Dorsale zone. This new thrust front takes place on weakness tectonic zones, materialized by inherited faults anchored on the pre-Triassic basement. This front seems to be a paleogeographic trend controlling structural style and basin fill with a synsedimentary activity. The front is expressed by reverse faults, thrust faults, back thrusting, and decollement structures. To cite this article: S. Khomsi et al., C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).     

Rôle du fluor dans la formation des gisements d'émeraude de Mananjary (Est de Madagascar)

The Mananjary emerald deposits are hosted in phlogopite-rich rocks formed through metasomatic alteration of meta-ultrabasites (hornblendites) at about 500 °C and 2 kbar due to infiltration of fluoride-rich fluids. A thermodynamic model explains the role of fluoride-complexation in the transport of Be and points to co-precipitation of F-phlogopite as the cause of beryl deposition. To cite this article: B. Moine et al., C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).     

Mise en évidence et analyse d'une structure atlasique ennoyée au front de la Chaîne alpine tunisienne

The eastern Tunisian Atlas shows major subsurface faults: the Kairouan–Sousse Fault (FKS), to the north, and the El Hdadja fault (FEH), to the south. The FKS is an inherited structural trend active since Late Cretaceous times. This fault is an eastern splay of the Chérichira–Labeïd fault. It separates a large northern diapiric structure (Ktifa Diapir) from a subsident domain (the Kairouan–El Hdadja rim-syncline), with a pull-apart configuration to the south. The latter area, which appears to be an inherited weakness zone at the range border, has recorded a series of tectonic events that characterizes the Alpine structural development in Tunisia. To cite this article: S. Khomsi et al., C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).     

Mise en évidence d'un décrochement ductile senestre dans l'ı̂le de Porquerolles (Var,France) et ses implications sur la tectonique du massif des Maures au Paléozoı̈que supérieur

A new geological map of the Palaeozoic units from the Porquerolles Island provides evidence for two main units joined along a north–south-trending shear zone: a western unit of schist, sandstone and microconglomerates, an eastern unit of schist including calcareous rocks, metabasite and various types of mineralisations. The shear zone has experienced a main strike-slip, sinistral movement in a ductile regime, and a late westward normal movement from ductile to brittle regimes. It crosscuts an early thrust fault, marked by penetrative syn-metamorphic deformation and the abundance of quartz rods. According to geometrical relationships, the regional conic fold is interpreted as a large-scale dragging of foliation related to strike-slip faulting. Combined folding and wrenching point out a main transpressional tectonics related to the continental collision dated Middle Visean in the central and eastern parts of the Variscan Maures massif. To cite this article: J.-P. Bellot, C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).     

Assimilation de données dans un modèle d'écosystème marin de la mer Ligure

The objective is to explore the potentialities of sequential statistical estimation methods to assimilate observations in a primary production biological model coupled to a vertical 1D hydrodynamical model characterised by a k–l turbulent closure. The assimilation method is derived from the SEEK filter (Singular Evolutive Extended Kalman filter), which uses an error subspace represented by multivariate empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs). Real data assimilation experiments collected at sea have been realised to reconstruct the variability of the Ligurian Sea ecosystem during the FRONTAL field experiment. To cite this article: S. Magri et al., C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).     

Nouvelle interprétation structurale de la « faille Nord- Pyrénéenne » en vallée d'Aspe (Pyrénées-Atlantiques). Remise en question d'un plutonisme ophitique danien dans le secteur de Bedous

In the Aspe Valley (western Pyrenees), the Europe/Iberia boundary corresponds to a complex fracturing zone, called the ‘Bielle–Accous Wrench-Faulting Corridor’, which represents the classical ‘North-Pyrenean Fault’. Located between the High Primary Range and the North-Pyrenean Zone, the BAWC shows different south-verging sheets mainly composed of Triassic materials. The Bedous ophite, associated with Muschelkalk and Keuper sediments, is also Triassic in age and involved in the same Pyrenean thrusting structures. So, contrary to a recent interpretation, this magmatic rock cannot be related to a supposed Danian plutonism inducing metamorphic processes in the surrounding Mesozoic formations. To cite this article: J. Canérot et al., C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).     

Grands gisements d'albite dans le massif métamorphique de Menderes (Turquie occidentale)

Albite deposits of western Turkey occur within gneiss in the basal part of the Menderes Metamorphic Massif. The most important deposits are located along the Karadere mineralization zone, within an anticlinorium of 15-km length with a direction of N10–30E. Detailed study of the four deposits forming the northern part of this zone has allowed us to discover large reserves of 100.65 million tons, of which 78% is composed of high-grade ore with a content of 10.27% Na₂O. The remainder is formed by low-grade ore with 8.37% Na₂O and 1.11% K₂O and mixed ore with 4.61% Na₂O and 4.05% K₂O, with reserves of 14.4 and 8.2 million tons, respectively. To cite this article: U. Çak?r, C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).     

Rôle de l'halocinèse dans l'évolution du bassin d'Essaouira (Sud-Ouest marocain)

The seismic reflection studies carried in the Essaouira Basin, intermediate zone between the High Atlas and the Atlantic Margin, show the presence of halokinetic structures that played a significant role in the evolution of the basin. Salt dynamics was controlled by the Atlantic rifting and the Atlasic orogen. These tectonic controls and the margin segmentation are responsible for the diachronism of salt movement. Halokinesis varied in time and space in the basin and was more active offshore, where autochtonous and allochtonous salt layers are present. To cite this article: K. Mehdi et al., C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).     

Nature minéralogique et rôle nutritionnel des argiles de sols céréaliers en région subhumide à semi-aride (Tunisie)

The cereal soils of the Northwest of Tunisia derive most of the time, from alluvial deposits or altered remains of carbonated and clayey rocks. Extraction of the clayey fraction permitted to reveal the presence of the following clayey minerals: kaolinite, illite, smectite, chlorite, as well as an illite–smectite interstratified layer, which is present in the deep horizons of the vertisol and in the isohumic soil. The presence of such types of clays shows that the evolution mechanism of soils is weathering of primary minerals inherited from the sedimentary rocks of the Northwest of Tunisia. These clays ensure to soils most of their cationic exchange capacity. Thanks to these clays, which have Ca⁺⁺, Mg⁺⁺ and K⁺ as exchangeable cations, the chemical fertility of these soils is ensured. It may be improved by increasing contents of organic matter, which is naturally few abundant in these soils. To cite this article: H. Ben Hassine, C. R. Geoscience 338 (2006).     

Les consommations d'énergie dans le monde : une méthode robuste de prévision de leur évolution à moyen terme ; premières conséquences

This document proposes some ideas on the global energy context in an anthropogenic view: what are the needs in energy for the world population? How could they be satisfied in the middle term? What links exist with the near future of a necessarily limited system, the ‘Earth Surface, oceans and atmosphere’ system? Over past 30 years, the world individual energy consumption has been a constant. This is the basis of a robust method for predicting, in the short and middle term, the relative part of the main energy vectors and their interactions with the carbon cycle. Finally, some essential aspects of any energy planning are pointed out. To cite this article: M. Combarnous, A. Prieur, C. R. Geoscience 335 (2003).     

Sur les anomalies structurales de l'anticlinal de l'oued Bahloul de Tunisie : héritage tectonique et plissement cisaillant de couverture

The Oued Bahloul structure exists in the central Atlas of Tunisia. This structure is oriented N70 and it shows a very particular geometry characterized by: (i) an important disharmony between the northern and the southern flanks; (ii) a dissymmetry between the east and the west parts of the structure; (iii) several gaps and progressive unconformities present in the Cretaceous and Eocene series.Three major tectonic directions characterize this structure: (i) the N120 appears in the western part of the anticline; (ii) some north–south faults distinguish the oriental part; (iii) the strike fault, which is confirmed by seismic data, affects the central part of this anticline. To cite this article: A. Saadi et al., C. R. Geoscience 338 (2006).     

Impacts « multi-échelle » d'un échange (Mg,Ca)–Pb et ses conséquences sur l'augmentation de la perméabilité d'une bentonite

The article addresses the structural effects of solutions of lead nitrate on a suspended or compacted bentonite. A permeability increase is observed on compacted clay. Investigating the composition of output solution, using X-Rays Diffusion at Small Angles and Scanning Electron Microscopy, this permeability increase is explained from structural variations at nanometric (reduction of particle size) and micrometric scales (microfissuration of aggregates). To cite this article: N. Jozja et al., C. R. Geoscience 335 (2003).     

Geometrical relationships between unconformities and subsequent folding: the Arro fold system (southern Pyrenees)Relations entre discordances et plissement dans le système de plis et chevauchements d'Arro (bassin de Graus-Tremp,Pyrénées)

The Arro system is an oblique fold system involving the Eocene sediments of the Graus-Tremp basin. It consists of westward-verging folds, trending NNW–SSE, some of them related with thrusts, in piggyback sequence. Seismic profiles allow to infer the geometry of structures at depth: folds and thrusts are ‘decolled’ over an unconformity between turbiditic and platform sediments. Re-activation of bedding surfaces by folding in the underlying units resulted in folding and thrusting in the upper series. To cite this article: A.M. Casas et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 765–772.     

Contribution de la gravimétrie et de la sismique réflexion pour une nouvelle interprétation géodynamique des fossés d'effondrement en Tunisie : exemple du fossé de Grombalia

Troughs in Tunisia are interpreted as Plio-Quaternary structures associated to normal faults (grabens) or to flexure faults. Gravity data and seismic sections are used in this study to clarify the structure and the geodynamic evolution of an example of trough: the Grombalia trough (northeastern Tunisia), since the Upper Miocene to the Quaternary. A high residual negative gravity anomaly, which reaches ?15 mGal, is interpreted as being related to the thickening of Mio-Plio-Quaternary deposits (and probably older), as illustrated by seismic data. This subsidence has been the result of a negative flower structure related to strike-slip faults that have been reactivated with normal component during the Upper Miocene and with reverse component during the Pliocene. Seismic and gravity data demonstrate that the fault system is rooted, and more than four kilometres deep. The Grombalia example outlines the association between troughs and strike-slip faults; such a system is recognized in Tunisia, in the Ionian Sea and in the Pelagian Sea. To cite this article: M. Hadj Sassi et al., C. R. Geoscience 338 (2006).     

Structuration profonde des dépôts de l'Albien–Maastrichtien en Tunisie centrale : nouvelle limite de l'archipel de Kasserine et implications géodynamiques

The Albian–Maastrichtian seismic horizon analysis in central Tunisia (Gafsa–Sidi Bouzid area) using the reflection seismic sections calibrated to the well data, shows buried structures with deposit distributions and sedimentation geometries varying from the depressive to uplifted zones. Pinch outs, unconformities and hiatuses recognized on the folded high structures are caused by reactivation of the bordering faults. The Turonian–Maastrichtian unconformities correspond to the palaeogeographic limits that outline the Kasserine Islets and correspond to the N120, N180 major wrench-salt-intruded corridors and associated N90, N60 strike-slip faults. Formation of the different structures and evolution of the basins and platforms were controlled by conjugate dextral and sinistral strike-slip movements. These structures allow new palaeogeographic limits of the Kasserine Islets to be identified. To cite this article: T. Zouaghi et al., C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).     

Optimisation de la quantification des flux de matière en suspension d'un cours d'eau alpin : l'Isère à Grenoble (France)

This study seeks to determine suspended-matter flux of the Isère at Grenoble, one of the most important rivers of the northern French Alps. Since 1994, and especially 1996, systematic samplings of the left bank make it possible to follow in one point the variations of suspended particles and matter (SPM) of this river. But from a single measurement, sometimes not very representative of the whole observable concentrations within the section, it remains still difficult to estimate precisely the SPM flux. The results of this study show in particular the successive appearance of several turbidity gradients, whose occurrence is explained mainly by the hydrological and hydro-sedimentary dynamics of this river. The estimate of these gradients thus makes it possible to extrapolate specific measurements more easily and consequently to daily define the quantities of suspended matter exported by the Isère. Since 1996, the results show a very high flow, specific of the Isère at Grenoble, variable between 124 and more than 460 t km^?2 yr^?1. To cite this article: D. Dumas, C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).     

La branche orientale de l'arc de Chypre. Morphostructure d'une frontière de plaques d'après les résultats de la campagne BLAC (2003)

The eastern bend of the Cyprus Arc, at the transition between the submerged Mediterranean subduction and the onshore fault zones that underline the Eurasian, African and Arabic plates boundaries is a submarine feature undergoing a complex tectonic deformation. The BLAC marine geophysical survey helps to better assess the type of the deformation that affects the Messinian to Quaternary sediments along this plate boundary. The deformation, focussed between two tectonic corridors, displays compressive and transpressive features in the central part, becoming thrusting when moving westward in connection with the Cyprus accretionnary wedge. The northeastern end of this submarine range connects with the Latakia Ridge, which is, together with its continental extension, under a tensional tectonic regime. To cite this article: J. Benkhelil et al., C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).     

Synergie entre la télédétection multispectrale et les données de terrain pour la conception d'un nouveau modèle géodynamique d'ouverture du bassin paléozoïque des Jebilet centrales (Maroc)

The geodynamic model of the Palaeozoic basin opening of central Jebilet has been unknown before this study in spite of the abundance in the geological studies carried out in the studied sector using conventional methods. This is due to the scarcity of the key beds and synsedimentary structures. Using the synergy between the image data of the Landsat satellite TM sensor and the ground data, we have highlighted, herein, new structural data allowing the design of a new model of the Palaeozoic basin opening of central Jebilet. This opening could have been made according to dextral submeridian transverse faults with the individualization of subequatorial normal faults. To cite this article: A. El Harti et al., C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).     

Premiers résultats d'une étude géophysique sur le flanc nord des glissements de Storegga (Norvège)

The Storegga slides, off Norway, are among the largest submarine slides ever known on a continental slope. The HYDRATECH cruise on N/O Le Suroît aimed at a high-resolution survey of an area at the northern boundary of the slides. This survey images in great detail the bottom simulating reflector (BSR) extent and properties, the various fluid escape structures and the sediment deformations. The combination and the quality of the data help to understand the still poorly constrained relationships between fluid escapes, gas hydrates and slope stability in the survey area. To cite this article: H. Nouzé et al., C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).     

Enregistrement de la dernière remontée du niveau marin dans l'architecture interne d'une vallée incisée : le pertuis Breton (Charente-Maritime)

Recent very high-resolution seismic profiles ground-truthed by vibrocores allow us to evidence an atypical incised valley fill in a drowned valley segment, the ‘Pertuis Breton’ (Bay of Biscay, France). The sedimentary valley-fill architecture mainly includes five superimposed progradational wedges composed by marine sands. Sandbodies show a landward migration of their depocentres upward and are topped by almost flat unconformities extended by submarine terraces. This sedimentary infill pattern is similar to backstepping wedges, described on continental shelfs. It suggests that this valley fill records sea-level rise during the last transgression. To cite this article: N. Weber et al., C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).