Within an E.U.-funded project, BESS (Pocket Beach Management and Remote Surveillance System), the notion of a geographic information system is indispensable tool for managing dynamics georeferenced data any form territorial planning. This was further explored with creation WebGIS portal that will allow local regional stakeholders/authorities obtain easy remote access to monitor status pocket beaches (PB) in Maltese Archipelago Sicily. In this paper, we provide methodological approach...

Abstract In recent years, we have been witnessing the widespread use of low-cost, increasingly high-performance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, or UAVs, equipped with a large number sensors capable extracting detailed information on several scales and in an immediate manner. This study was motivated by need to perform geological survey area difficult physical access, compare results those from conventional surveys. Here used Multirotor UAV high definition RGB camera digital photogrammetry...

Remote-sensing ocean colour studies have already been used to determine coastal water quality, biodiversity, and nutrient availability. In recent years, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) equipped with multispectral sensors, originally designed for agriculture applications, also enabled water-quality of waters. However, since the sea surface is constantly changing, commonly photogrammetric methods fail when applied UAV images captured over areas. this work, we evaluate applicability a five-band...

The northern region of the Maltese archipelago is experiencing lateral spreading landslide processes. This characterized by cliffs with a hard coralline limestone outcropping layer sitting on thick clay. Such geological configuration causes coastal instability that results in which predispose to rockfalls and topplings all over cliff slopes. aim this research was develop methodology for evaluating erosion/retreat using integration geomatics geophysical techniques. Starting from 3D digital...

Ambient seismic noise has gained extensive applications in seismology and plays a pivotal role environmental studies. This study focuses on the Río de la Plata Coastal Plain, employing horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) method ambient records to analyze subsurface dynamics. The region’s hydrogeology is complex, featuring partially interconnected coastal aquifers. HVSR analysis reveals two peaks, with P0 associated sediment-basement interface P1 linked shallower stratigraphic...

The island of Malta (central Mediterranean) is dissected by several WSW-trending fault-line valleys related to Miocene-Pliocene extensional tectonics. Some host remnants alluvial deposits that could provide information on possible Quaternary faulting, but the thickness these and their subsurface extent poorly constrained. Our study aimed investigate structural configuration southern sector Mellieha valley, which located in north-west part limited ENE-WSW general trending Ghadira faults,...

Malta, as a small island state, faces increasing challenges from climate change due to its vulnerability impacts. This study investigates the application of geospatial tools and techniques enhance Malta’s capacity for change-related planning management, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: Climate Action. The methodology integrates historic cartographic resources, detailed in our previous work (Tranchant et al., 2024), contemporary approaches such UAV photogrammetry...

Seismic site response describes how ground motion changes as seismic waves pass through different types of soil, rock, or structures. This study aims to enhance understanding local in areas with cavities, particularly lava tubes. The tubes is unique and depends on factors such the geological characteristics tube, its size, interaction surrounding materials. Lava tubes, typically cylindrical tunnel-shaped, have dimensions - length, diameter, wall thickness that influence travel around...

Different engineering geological and geophysical investigations were performed at the Sopu promontory in island of Gozo (Malta), involved an impressive lateral spreading process due to superimposition a stiff limestone (ULC) on ductile clay (BC). The applied techniques include: traditional surveys, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) survey, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) ground-penetrating radar (GPR) investigations, single-station seismic ambient noise measurements, array measurements....

ABSTRACT The Cathedral of St John in Valetta, Malta, represents a unique monument historical importance. In this paper, we present the results detailed ground penetrating radar campaign performed Cathedral. was aimed at investigating distribution buried tombs under mosaic floor main nave and lateral chapels Co‐Cathedral. church shows continuity grave inscriptions as well all chapels. It suspected, based on available documents, that only part present‐day corresponds to original sepultures or...

Stranded beach litter is a ubiquitous issue. Manual monitoring and retrieval can be cost labour intensive. Therefore, automatic an essential mitigation strategy. In this paper, we present important foundational blocks that expanded into autonomous monitoring-and-retrieval pipeline based on drone surveys object detection using deep learning. Drone footage collected the islands of Malta Gozo in Sicily (Italy) Red Sea coast was combined with publicly available datasets used to train algorithm...

Sea caves are a type of cave formed primarily by the wave action sea. The coastal scenery Gozitan coast is very interesting in that sea and other landforms, such as arches, develop at level. We mapped seventy-nine semi-submerged opening level, five completely submerged caves, seven one stack, shelter around Gozo, mainly Western Eastern parts island, due to favorable lithological topographical conditions. Additionally, we surveyed topography emerged part nine using iPhone build-in LiDAR...

In this contribution, we propose ground-penetrating radar (GPR) investigation performed close and on some prehistoric tumuli, locally called “piccole specchie”, in the countryside around town of Parabita (Lecce), within Salento peninsula (southern Italy). order to perform GPR an unconventional method data acquisition was exploited, involving, consequently, non-conventional processing steps. Photogrammetric survey also performed, 3D digital models tumuli were created. The investigations have...

The Maltese archipelago is renowned for its spectacular coasts, characterized by vertical cliffs and scree slopes. In the western sector of Malta eastern region Gozo, a marly clay formation with ductile properties underlying stiff limestone unit has led to relevant lateral spreading. Utilizing drone aerial photogrammetry, digital elevation models, satellite imagery, we analyzed ongoing geomorphological processes across five promontories, selected as case studies. Our analysis reveals complex...

Research Article| February 21, 2018 Seismic Signature of the Azure Window Collapse, Gozo, Central Mediterranean Pauline Galea; Galea aDepartment Geosciences, University Malta, Msida MSD2080, pauline.galea@um.edu.mt Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar George Bozionelos; Bozionelos Sebastiano D'Amico; D'Amico Aldo Drago; Drago Emanuele Colica Author and Article Information Publisher: Seismological Society America First Online: 21 Feb Online Issn: 1938-2057 Print...

The Wied il-Mielaħ Window (Gozo–Malta) is a limestone natural arch on the north-western coast of island Gozo in Malta. It located at end valley north village Għarb. This less well known than Azure Window, which collapsed March 2017 following heavy storm, but notwithstanding, it an imposing and important monument too. In past, il-Mielah was responsible for discharging wastewater from surrounding localities to Mediterranean directly Window. sewage flag often clearly visible underneath archway...

The Satellite Investigation to study POcket BEach Dynamics (SIPOBED) project uses remote sensing detect and monitor the movement of sediments within Maltese pocket beaches. Research development in downstream Earth Observation (EO) sector is key achieving reliable cost-effective monitoring coastal erosion this project, we aim provide detailed estimates sediment variations through time by using satellite images as well in-situ measurements such use drone equipped with different sensors...

This study employs a multimethod approach to investigate the sediment distribution in two pocket beaches, Ramla Beach and Mellieha S Beach, Malta. Both sites were digitally reconstructed using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry. For each case, an ERT dense network of ambient seismic noise measurements processed through horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) technique acquired. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) analysis enables estimation thickness beach. HVSR revealed...

In this contribution, we present some results achieved in the archaeological site of Le Cesine, close to Lecce, southern Italy. The investigations have been performed a Adriatic Sea, only slightly explored up now, and where presence an ancient Roman harbour is alleged on basis remains visible above all under current sea level. This measurement campaign has framework short-term scientific mission (STSM) European Cost Action 17131 (acronym SAGA), aimed identify possible points future localized...

Abstract In the present paper, we main results of a diagnostic investigation on different paintings by Mattia Preti, belonging to Cycle New Church Sarria , located inside Immaculate Conception (Floriana) in Malta. The analysis was carried out occasion restoration process and, due short time available, only some representative areas each painting. A multi-technique approach applied situ employing X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and Raman microscopy. aim achieve information execution...

Summary In this contribution, a multidisciplinary investigation regarding the Roman Amphitheatre in Lecce, southern Italy, is be proposed. particular, GPR prospecting combined to passive seismic measurements and with virtual reconstruction of monument allows deducing some important features monument, unknown before. only partially brought light, part it lies under current Saint Oronzo's Square. We have investigated about still undiscovered amphitheatre.

This paper presents the results of three different approaches applied to newly-restored titular painting entitled <em>The Conversion St Paul</em>, main altarpiece in Mdina Cathedral Malta. large, dramatic is work Baroque artist, Mattia Preti, known as <em>il Cavaliere Calabrese</em>. Here, we focus on digital photogrammetric survey that adopts image-based for 2D/3D model reconstruction. The was used quantify important features well extensions areas restored. In...