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Evidence of extreme wave events from boulder deposits on the south-east coast of Malta (Central Mediterranean)

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Abstract

Large boulder accumulations have been observed on various coasts bordering the Mediterranean and have been associated with extreme wave events such as powerful storms or tsunamis. This study provides an in-depth analysis of 430 boulder deposits, located along a 3.5 km stretch of rocky coast situated on the SE of the Maltese Islands. It includes a geomorphometric analysis of the observed boulders and use of numerical modelling to estimate wave height required to initiate boulder movement. Comparisons of aerial imagery over a period of 46 years have made it possible to identify boulder movement that could only be attributed to storm waves, given that no local tsunamigenic event has been recorded over this time period. Positioned in the central Mediterranean, the Maltese Islands are exposed to potential tsunamis generated by seismic activity associated with the Malta Escarpment, and the Calabrian and Hellenic arcs. Although imprints from historic tsunami impact cannot be excluded, results indicate that the area is exposed to strong storm waves that are capable of displacing some of the very large boulders observed on site.

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Fig. 1

(Source: Google, TerraMetrics)

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Photographs by J Causon Deguara, R Gauci

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Photographs by J Causon Deguara

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(Source a © MEPA, b Google, TerraMetrics, c J Causon Deguara)

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(Source a ©MEPA, b Google, TerraMetrics, c, d J Causon Deguara)

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(Source a ©MEPA, b Google, TerraMetric, c, d J Causon Deguara)

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(Source a © MEPA, b Google, TerraMetrics, c, d J Causon Deguara)

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(Source a ©MEPA, b Google, TerraMetrics, c J Causon Deguara)

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Photographs by J Causon Deguara

Fig. 14

Photographs by J Causon Deguara

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr Saviour Scerri for his contribution in the identification of lithologies, Prof Aldo Drago from the Physical Oceanography Unit of the University of Malta, Blue Ocean Energy Project and Dexawave Malta for providing wave buoy data and Ms Carol Valentino from the Mapping Unit at Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA). Thanks are also due to Prof John A Schembri (University of Malta) for helpful advice and support in his remit as HOD Geography. Finally, the authors would also like to thank two anonymous reviewers whose suggestions have contributed to significantly enhance the quality of this paper. This produce includes data from Mapping Unit (MEPA) and licensed on behalf of them. The MEPA name of the local planning authority (now changed to Planning Authority) has been retained in this paper, in conformity with the copyright agreement previously signed with MEPA.

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  1. Department of Geography, University of Malta, Msida, Malta

    J. Causon Deguara & R. Gauci

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  1. J. Causon Deguara
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Correspondence to J. Causon Deguara.

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Causon Deguara, J., Gauci, R. Evidence of extreme wave events from boulder deposits on the south-east coast of Malta (Central Mediterranean). Nat Hazards 86 (Suppl 2), 543–568 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-016-2525-4

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