Coniacian carbonate-conglomerate event on carbonate ramps from the Northern Chotts ranges, South Tunisia: facies geometry and tectono-sedimentary evolution

Abstract

Conglomerate bodies are wide spread in the Lower Coniacian carbonate of the southern of Tunisia. This paper presents an examination of the stratigraphic architecture of these Coniacian conglomerates. It aims to the understanding of the processes leading to their genesis and the relationship and context with the late Cretaceous sedimentation. These conglomerates are related to the incision of Aptian palaeovalleys in a carbonate platform in an extensional setting. The sedimentary analysis and the geometry of these bodies show that the Cretaceous succession in this area are formed by eight facies within four facies associations, representing a series of distinct depositional environments ranging from alluvial plain to the open marine environment. The sedimentary analysis allowed the recognization of elementary sequence which start with the conglomerate bodies corresponding to the incised valley fills.