Quantitative Estimation of Altimetric Variations Using Residual DEM from Topographical Maps between Two Epochs 1893 and 1985: Case Study: The Endorheic Basin of Enfidha-Tunisia

Abstract

This article endeavours to analyse the recent deformation in the Enfidha region. This analysis has been carried out using the Residual Digital Elevation Model (DEM). It is the altimetric difference between two DEM generated from the contour lines of two topographical maps over a period of 100 years. This deformation has been studied by some authors who report the presence of recent ground movements by comparing contour lines with a downward trend in elevation from 1893 to 1985. In 2006, this study area was marked by the presence of two earthquakes that occurred in several coastal cities located in the northeastern part of Tunisia. Our study involves a quantitative estimation of altimetric variations under a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment. Our proposed methodology aims at the mapping of residual (DEM) and the extraction of parameters that have a morphological and morphostructural signature. The extraction of quantitative morphostructural parameters requires the integration of multi-source and multi-scale data. This can only be done if the problem of heterogeneity at the level of scale and coordinate system is solved through the use of GIS tools and the obtainment of the vectorial shapefile format. Then, in order to compare the DEM generation errors with reference to recent and old data, they must be projected in the same projection system and on the same scale. The available data are two topographic maps of Enfidha which represent two different epochs. The first one is an old topographic map of 1893 (type 1922) at a scale of 1:50,000 and the second one is a recent topographic map of 1985 at a scale of 1:25,000. These topographical maps have the Lambert (IGN) projection system. This methodological approach, based on residual (DEM), allows to highlight an estimated subsidence of 3 m/100years located in the Enfidha plain and extends to the south coast of Cap Bon area in Tunisia. The variation of the contour lines shape between the old and the recent map can be studied in correlation with a relay structure fault observed and recognized by some analysts in this area. These relay accidents remain active according to the results obtained by the residual (DEM) and validated by the field observations of two sites that we have carried out in the Enfidha endorheic basin.