GPS Coordinates:
N32°55.475 E10°15.797
Locality: Tataouine
Governorate: n.a.
Delegation: n.a.
Site Highlights
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Open-air stalactites and stalagmites
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Importance of the Vraconian bar
Access Route
This site is located near the old village of Chenini, close to the water tower on a track that runs along the Wadi (Oued).
Site Description
A waterfall is defined by "the runoff of water from one or more natural sources from the top to the bottom of a cliff." However, a fossil waterfall is represented by traces or accumulation of sediments, in a conical shape, brought by spring waters at the foot of a cliff.
In the past, during the Tertiary era (several million years ago), southern Tunisia was emerged above sea level. The continental landforms of the Tataouine region were in the early stages of their formation within the great cliff of the Tunisian Dahar. Later, the strata were affected by faults through which water springs gushed out. At times, the water flow through these cliffs was significant, supplemented by rainwater runoff forming a waterfall; this was the case in the Chenini region, where waterfalls once adorned the cliffs of Jebel Egri.
The fossil waterfall is located halfway up the Jebel, following an East-West direction, in the shape of an arc 100 m in diameter and 15 to 20 m high. The sediment cone resulting from the waterfall is 15 m high, with a base 7 m in diameter.
The stalactite sediment cone at this site was formed tens of thousands of years ago, following the same formation principle as cave stalagmites.
