2ND TERRESTRIAL STUDY OF A LARGE SUBMARIN E ALBIAN SALT GLACIER (250 KM(2)QUESTIONABLE) - THE TRIASSIC MASSES OF THE BEN-GASSEUR DIAPIR, AND EL-KEF ANTICLINE (NORTHWESTERN TUNISIA)

In Tunisia, between El Kef and the Algerian-Tunisian border, the large masses (approximately 165 km(2)) of Triassic rocks of the Ben Gasseur <<diapir>> and El Kef anticline areas, are included within the middle Albian formations and show, underneath and on top, two primitively ho rizontal sedimentary limits. In the El Kef anticline, along the upper limit of Triassic masses, several Albian reefs allow to estimate a lar ge lenticulary saliferous body of probably 250 km(2), after unfolding the two Tertiary foldings. This framework is interpreted as a large su bmarine <<salt glacier>>, emplaced over a previously marine slope, wit hin a hot rifted setting, following a scenario similar to the <<salt g lacier>> Ouenza (Algeria) emplacement. This new interpretation, allows to strongly simplify the regional tectonic features. The large Triass ic outcrops of neighbouring north-central Tunisia should be interprete d similarly, taking Into account the data acquired by the numerous min ing and petroleum drillings.