A5017105068- Maritime and Coastal Archaeology
- Coastal and Marine Dynamics
- Tropical and Extratropical Cyclones Research
- earthquake and tectonic studies
- Geotourism and Geoheritage Conservation
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- 3D Surveying and Cultural Heritage
- Island Studies and Pacific Affairs
- Archaeology and ancient environmental studies
- Marine and environmental studies
- Coastal and Marine Management
- Cruise Tourism Development and Management
- Aeolian processes and effects
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Climate Change, Adaptation, Migration
- Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies
- Archaeological Research and Protection
- Global Maritime and Colonial Histories
- Karst Systems and Hydrogeology
- Building materials and conservation
- Marine Ecology and Invasive Species
- Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
- Ocean Waves and Remote Sensing
- Flood Risk Assessment and Management
- Socioeconomic Development in Asia
University of Malta
2016-2025
Several factors and processes, both natural anthropogenic, can threaten the integrity of any geosite, leading to their degradation. For this reason, geoheritage degradation risks should be considered a fundamental step in geoconservation strategy, all more when aim is tackle effects climate change. The present work proposes quantitative methodology for risk assessment geosites by considering extrinsic that damage geoheritage. has been tested on Maltese Islands, where considerable previous...
Abstract The Maltese archipelago is a small island chain that among the most remote in Mediterranean. Humans were not thought to have reached and inhabited such isolated islands until regional shift Neolithic lifeways, around 7.5 thousand years ago (ka) 1 . In standard view, limited resources ecological vulnerabilities of islands, coupled with technological challenges long-distance seafaring, meant hunter-gatherers either unable or unwilling make these journeys 2–4 Here we describe...
Abstract. The accumulation of large boulders related to waves generated by either tsunamis or extreme storm events have been observed in different areas the Mediterranean Sea. Along eastern low-lying rocky coasts Malta, five sites with boulder deposits investigated, measured and mapped. These detached moved from nearshore lowest parts coast sea wave action. In Sicily–Malta channel, heavy storms are common originate NE NW winds. Conversely, few recorded historical documents reached Maltese...
This paper presents the outcomes of a geomorphological investigation carried out along coasts island Malta and provides detailed classification Maltese coastline based on identification definition specific coastal geomorphotypes. The results field surveys, supported by air-photo interpretation, have led to production map at 1:30,000 scale which outlines processes related deposits landforms. latter are result complex interplay structural, gravitational, karst processes. Moreover, radiocarbon...
The recognition, selection and quantitative assessment of sites geological geomorphological interest are fundamental steps in any environmental management focused on geoconservation geotourism promotion. island Malta, the central Mediterranean Sea, despite having a steadily increasing growth population tourism, still conserves features great relevance interest, both for their contribution to understanding processes acting through time landscape aesthetic importance. present work proposes an...
The Island of Malta is characterized by a great variety landscapes and landforms, including wide range features with geological geomorphological interest. inventory assessment geosites can contribute to the preservation, protection, promotion this rich geodiversity. Furthermore, hold considerable potential attract geotourists, thereby contributing local economic development. Tourism direct contribution national GDP one highest among European countries, thus tourism plays for Maltese Islands....
Extreme meteorological events, such as medicanes, are increasingly recognized key drivers of geomorphic transformation along rocky coastlines. This study explores the response coastal boulder deposits in Malta to Medicane Helios, focusing on detachment, displacement, and role localized vulnerabilities.Medicane originating over North African coast, intensified it traversed central Mediterranean, reaching February 9–10, 2023. Its passage was marked by torrential rainfall, gale-force...
<p>Natural and anthropogenic factors processes can threaten the integrity of geosites, leading to their degradation or even loss. For this reason, geoheritage risk should be considered in any geoconservation strategy assessed first stages studies, all more when aim is tackle tangible effects climate change. The present research proposes a quantitative methodology for assessment geosites by considering extrinsic that damage destroy geological heritage. proposed has been tested...
Small island tourism destinations are particularly vulnerable to (natural) hazards, disasters and crises. Although much literature considers disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies, mitigation the impacts of on industry, how these strategies implemented managed by stakeholders with vested interests is scarce. Understanding stakeholders' awareness threats, their ability knowledge respond sudden and/or projected natural a key dimension in helping create implement management plans, recognised...
The Mediterranean Basin is characterized by a significant variability in tectonic behaviour, ranging from subsidence to uplifting. However, those coastal areas considered be tectonically stable show landforms at elevations consistent with eustatic and isostatic sea level change models. In particular, geomorphological indicators—such as tidal notches or shore platforms—are often used define the stability of coasts. We present results swim surveys nine rocky sectors central Sea using Geoswim...
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...
Shore platforms and salinas in the Mediterranean region have a long-standing relationship, rooted traditional practice of salt making. On small islands with limited natural resources, production from seawater, through insolation intense human endeavour, offered numerous economic benefits. Salt has been foremost resource for millennia range uses preserving edible foods to cooking, cleaning, laundry, hygiene, medicinal dilute solutions. Within Maltese Islands, this activity was developed...
This paper explores the values of open data in context differential power relations academia and, particular, significance policies for early career researchers and development.
In this paper, we introduce the concept of “city‐island‐state” into a discussion small highly urbanised islands. We place “city” at forefront our analysis by bringing together geographies and “state,” with wider factors that may cause both wounding city an increase in precariousness “island.” apply to advanced city‐island‐state Malta (Central Mediterranean), which is densely populated, island archipelago about 500,000 inhabitants operates as single urban core, suburbs, rural hinterland...
The small size and relatively challenging environmental conditions of the semi-isolated Maltese archipelago mean that area offers an important case study societal change human-environment interactions. Following initial phase Neolithic settlement, “Temple Period” in Malta began ∼5.8 thousand years ago (ka), came to a seemingly abrupt end ∼4.3 ka, was followed by Bronze Age societies with radically different material culture. Various ideas concerning reasons for Temple Period have been...
Deidun, A., Gauci, R., Schembri, J.A., Šegina, E., Gianni, J., Gutierrez, Sciberras, A. and 2013. Comparative median grain size assessment through three different techniques for sandy beach deposits on the Maltese Islands (Central Mediterranean)It is estimated that beaches cover only 2.2 per cent of coastline. Although small in size, pocket exhibit complex geomorphological interactions. A granulometric analysis may thus shed further light understanding these interactive processes provide...