Hercynian compressional deformations of the Ahnet–Mouydir Basin, Algerian Saharan Platform: far‐field stress effects of the Late Palaeozoic orogeny

Abstract

N–S to NW–SE‐trending faults and reverse faults occur within the Palaeozoic Ahnet–Mouydir Basin of the Algerian Saharan Platform, located to the east of the West African Pan‐African suture zone. Deformation and stratigraphic analysis show that this basin underwent a NNE–SSW to ENE–WSW shortening at about the Carboniferous/Permian transition or, more probably, during the Early Permian. A brief review of the more or less synchronous deformations registered in the neighbouring regions, and more specifically around the West African Craton, illustrates the mechanical coupling between intraplate tectonics and the Hercynian plate margins orogenies.