Selmun: A Coastal Limestone Landscape Enriched by Scenic Landforms, Conservation Status and Religious Significance

Sammut, Sephora; Gauci, Ritienne; Inkpen, Robert; Lewis, Jessica Jade; Gibson, Andy

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-15456-1_26

Cited by 6 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Another notable human impact are the numerous quarries carved in the Globigerina Limestone, with the Lower Globigerina Limestone recognized at Global Heritage Stone Resource in view of its historic use in the archaeological and architectural legacy of the islands [62]. In fact, the coast is endowed with a rich archaeological and military heritage such as megalithic temples [63], extensive fortification networks dating back to the Order of St John (1530-1800) [64] and the British period (1800-1964) [65]. However, some of the historical use of the coast by the military has also led to irreversible damages to coastal features, such as Filfla and the surrounding islets, when they were used as military target practice for bombings by the British and American forces until 1970s.…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Degradation Risk Assessment: Understanding the Impacts of Climate Change on Geoheritage

et al. 2022

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Several factors and processes, both natural and 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 any geoconservation strategy, all the more when the aim is to tackle the effects of climate change. The present work proposes a quantitative methodology for the degradation risk assessment of geosites by considering the extrinsic factors that can damage the geoheritage. The methodology has been tested on the Maltese Islands, where considerable previous research has been undertaken in order to highlight the international significance of the Maltese landscapes. Three criteria to assess the degradation risk are proposed: natural vulnerability, anthropogenic vulnerability and public use. For each criterion, several parameters have been identified in order to propose a detailed numerical evaluation. The results show that the degradation risk of geosites is mainly related to negligence and lack of knowledge of its inherent geological heritage, and which leads to public misuse and mismanagement of the geosites. The results give an overview of the condition of the geosites and provide information for the design and management of suitable protection measures, especially in the light of future threats related to climate change.

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Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Degradation Risk Assessment: Understanding the Impacts of Climate Change on Geoheritage

et al. 2022

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“…GL layers occur along the shoreline in the northern sector of the Selmun promontory, between Mgiebah Bay and Blata I-Badja. GL shore platforms occur as sub-horizontal terraces [37], and are frequently backed by large slope-failure deposits detached by upland UCL relief, which reaches an elevation of 110 m near Selmun Palace [38]. A structural and lithological control is evident in the south and south-eastern sectors of the Selmun headland, where a network of faults crosses Ras il-Mignuna, Mistra Bay and low-lying GL slopes in Mistra [31,38].…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…GL shore platforms occur as sub-horizontal terraces [37], and are frequently backed by large slope-failure deposits detached by upland UCL relief, which reaches an elevation of 110 m near Selmun Palace [38]. A structural and lithological control is evident in the south and south-eastern sectors of the Selmun headland, where a network of faults crosses Ras il-Mignuna, Mistra Bay and low-lying GL slopes in Mistra [31,38]. The above-cited faults cause the alternation of a steep UCL escarpment, GL rock masses, and gentle BC terrains, which favor landsliding and subsidence phenomena (Figure 5B).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Dataset of Gravity-Induced Landforms and Sinkholes of the Northeast Coast of Malta (Central Mediterranean Sea)

Devoto

Hastewell

Prampolini

et al. 2021

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This study investigates gravity-induced landforms that populate the North-Eastern coast of Malta. Attention is focused on tens of persistent joints and thousands of boulders associated with deep-seated gravitational slope deformations (DGSDs), such as lateral spreads and block slides. Lateral spreads produce deep and long joints, which partially isolate limestone boulders along the edge of wide plateaus. These lateral spreads evolve into large block slides that detach thousands of limestone boulders from the cliffs and transport them towards the sea. These boulders are grouped in large slope-failure deposits surrounding limestone plateaus and cover downslope terrains. Gravity-induced joints (n = 124) and downslope boulders (n = 39,861) were identified and categorized using Google Earth (GE) images and later validated by field surveys. The datasets were digitized in QGIS and stored using ESRI shapefiles, which are common digital formats for storing vector GIS data. These types of landslides are characterized by slow-moving mechanisms, which evolve into destructive failures and present an elevated level of risk to coastal populations and infrastructure. Hundreds of blocks identified along the shore also provide evidence of sinkholes; for this reason, the paper also provides a catalogue of sinkholes. The outputs from this research can provide coastal managers with important information regarding the occurrence of coastal geohazards and represent a key resource for future landslide hazard assessment.

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“…The term 'anthropogenic site' was then used to differentiate these types of sites from the pristine ones. The best example is the large area of industrial salinas (ID26, ID27), not in use anymore, that covers approximately 1 km along the shore platforms of Blata l-Bajda in Selmun [95]. The rocky shore platforms in soft Globigerina Limestone developed the ideal coastal landscape for the formation of natural pools filled with seawater.…”

Section: Quantitative Assessment and Selection Of Geositesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The islets of St. Paul, protected as Nature Reserve, lie 800 m from Selmunett Bay. A direct fault across the island has brought the Upper Coralline Limestone in juxtaposition with Upper Globigerina Limestone [95]. The Upper Coralline Limestone is predominant on the surface and represents the entire surface morphology of the islets; the Upper Globigerina Limestone outcrops as a small cliff with a narrow shore platform at the base.…”

Section: Id24: St Paul's Islands Faultmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geoheritage as a Tool for Environmental Management: A Case Study in Northern Malta (Central Mediterranean Sea)

et al. 2019

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The recognition, selection and quantitative assessment of sites of geological and geomorphological interest are fundamental steps in any environmental management focused on geoconservation and geotourism promotion. The island of Malta, in the central Mediterranean Sea, despite having a steadily increasing growth in population and tourism, still conserves geological and geomorphological features of great relevance and interest, both for their contribution to the understanding of the geological processes acting through time on landscape and for their aesthetic importance. The present work proposes an inventory for northern Malta, through three main stages, with the outcome of a final list of geosites that have the potential to be recognized as both natural heritage and tourist resources with potential economic benefits. In particular, the assessment methodology applied combines scientific value and additional and use-values, showing the links existing between geoheritage and other aspects of nature and culture of the sites. The results provide useful knowledge for the definition of strategies aimed at the development of a sustainable and responsible tourism.

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Selmun: A Coastal Limestone Landscape Enriched by Scenic Landforms, Conservation Status and Religious Significance

Cited by 6 publications

References 10 publications

Degradation Risk Assessment: Understanding the Impacts of Climate Change on Geoheritage

Degradation Risk Assessment: Understanding the Impacts of Climate Change on Geoheritage

Dataset of Gravity-Induced Landforms and Sinkholes of the Northeast Coast of Malta (Central Mediterranean Sea)

Geoheritage as a Tool for Environmental Management: A Case Study in Northern Malta (Central Mediterranean Sea)

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