Malta contains several “textbook examples” of geological features, and knowing about them should enrich our ideas about the island, according to the science and technology council.
The MCST yesterday announced that it had earmarked eight sites – six in Malta and two in Gozo – which are particularly interesting for geologists. It will be raising awareness about them both locally and abroad through channels such as the planning authority and Unesco.
Speaking at a press conference in Villa Bighi yesterday, geologist Peter Gatt said Malta’s geological heritage tended to be overlooked, in spite of the existence of “extra-ordinary” sites.
One such site is Dwejra in Gozo, where 400 metre wide circular rock collapses form the inland sea and much of the western Gozitan coast.
“These features suggest collapse as a result of the dissolution of an underlying layer of gypsum anhydrite, a salt that is soluble in freshwater. The exceptionally large size of the circular features and the high density of their occurrence along the three kilometre coast of western Gozo make this a site of European importance,” Mr Gatt said. He also noted that similar features were often found capping reserves of oil or gas.
Another site to be showcased is the stretch of coast from Għar Lapsi to Ras il-Ħamrija, just below the Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra temples.
This stretch was chosen because of its tectonic features, where faults running parallel to the Pantelleria rift are exposed. Various large fossils were found in the area and the cliffs have clear layers indicating a change in climate millions of years ago – a textbook example of what is known as stratification, according to Mr Gatt.
Another area is Miġra l-Ferħa, where a gorge leads into a seasonal waterfall that cuts through the cliffs.
The study of the rocks in the island could not only tell us more about how the island was formed but also warn about any impending dangers such as landslides. Sites such as the eight chosen could also attract scientific tourism.
Daħlet Qorrot in Gozo was chosen for closely stacked phosphorite beds within the limestone, as well as deep vertical cracks filled with pebbles. Ċirkewwa was chosen for the solidified sand dunes, which contain the remains of the small creatures which used to live within them thousands of years ago.
The other sites are Fomm ir-Riħ Bay, Qammieħ and the Xgħajra coast.
During the press conference, MCST chairman Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando announced that the council was rebranding itself, with the new image focusing on the word “Xjenza” – Maltese for science – to emphasise that science is something which is found all around us.