, with a depth of . The larger gulf is across with a depth of , and the centroid is at . The entire Gulf of Gabes, both larger and smaller versions, is underlain by the continental shelf of the African Plate, and is nowhere deeper than 200 meters. During the Permian Period and Triassic Period, carbonate minerals and evaporites were deposited in the Gulf of Gabes which now form salt domes and diapirs. In addition carbon and hydrocarbons primarily from vegetation were deposited. These now form the basis for the oil and gas industry in the gulf. Among the important oil and gas fields in the gulf are the Ashtart Field and the Chergui Field. The Ashtart Oil Terminal lies just outside the gulf at where tankers can easily tranship the oil. Notes External links Port Gabes, photograph from Panoramio Gabes Gabes Sfax Governorate