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| Titel |
Geomorphological map of a coastal stretch of north-eastern Gozo (Maltese
archipelago, Mediterranean Sea) |
| VerfasserIn |
Mauro Soldati, Anton Micallef, Sara Biolchi, Alessandro Chelli, Alessandro Cuoghi, Stefano Devoto, Christopher Gauci, Kevin Graff, Federico Lolli, Matteo Mantovani, Giuseppe Mastronuzzi, Luca Pisani, Mariacristina Prampolini, Brian Restall, Thomas Roulland, Michael Saliba, Lidia Selmi, Vittoria Vandelli |
| Konferenz |
EGU General Assembly 2017
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| Medientyp |
Artikel
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| Sprache |
en
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| Digitales Dokument |
PDF |
| Erschienen |
In: GRA - Volume 19 (2017) |
| Datensatznummer |
250149351
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| Publikation (Nr.) |
 EGU/EGU2017-13687.pdf |
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| Zusammenfassung |
| Geomorphological investigations carried out along the north-eastern coast of
the Island of Gozo (Malta) have led to the production of a detailed
geomorphological map. Field surveys, accompanied by aerial
photo-interpretation, were carried out within the framework of the EUR-OPA
Major Hazards Agreement Project ``Developing Geomorphological mapping skills
and datasets in anticipation of subsequent Susceptibility, Vulnerability,
Hazard and Risk Mapping'' (Council of Europe). In particular, this
geomorphological map is the main output of a `Training Course on
Geomorphological Mapping in Coastal Areas' held within the Project in
November 2016.
The study area selected was between Ramla Bay and Da{\textcrh{ }}let Qorrot
Bay on the Island of Gozo (67 km$^{2})$, part of the Maltese archipelago in
the central Mediterranean Sea. From a geological viewpoint, the
stratigraphic sequence includes Late Oligocene (Chattian) to Late Miocene
(Messinian) sedimentary rocks. The hard limestones of the Upper Coralline
Limestone Formation, the youngest lithostratigraphic unit, dominate the
study area. Underlying this formation, marls and clays belonging to the Blue
Clay Formation extensively outcrop. The oldest lithostratigraphic unit
observed in the study area is the Globigerina Limestone Formation, a
fine-grained limestone. The lithostructural features of the outcropping
units clearly condition the morphography of the landscape.
The coast is characterised by the alternation of inlets and promontories.
Worthy of notice is the large sandy beach of Ramla Bay partly backed by
dunes. From a geomorphological perspective, the investigated coastal stretch
is characterised by limestone plateaus bounded by steep structural scarps
which are reshaped by gravitational and/or degradation processes, and milder
slopes in Blue Clays at their foot comprising of numerous rock block
deposits (\textit{rdum} in Maltese) and active or abandoned terraced fields used for
agricultural purposes.
Landforms and processes related to structural, gravitational, coastal,
alluvial and karst processes were mapped. Particular attention was devoted
to the recognition and classification of landslides of different type (in
particular block slides and earth flows/slides) which affect large sectors
of the north-eastern coast of Gozo. In most cases, landslide accumulations
reach the coastline and cover shore platforms. In addition, wide portions of
the plateau areas are affected by rock spreading related to the presence of
limestones overlying clayey terrains.
The climatic conditions, the dense joint systems and the karstification of
limestone determine a temporary superficial drainage pattern. Temporary
streambeds (\textit{wieden} in Maltese) were identified in correspondence of V-shaped
valleys once occupied by permanent water courses. Karst processes widely
affect the Upper Coralline Limestone Formation resulting in caves, diffuse
solution pools, grooves and furrows.
The geomorphological map output represents a baseline document on which to
undertake, first the landslide susceptibility mapping, subsequently the
hazard mapping and finally the risk mapping, a critical part of the
wider-scoped risk management process of this and similar coastal areas. |
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