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

Author

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  • J. Causon Deguara

    (University of Malta)

  • R. Gauci

    (University of Malta)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • J. Causon Deguara & R. Gauci, 2017. "Evidence of extreme wave events from boulder deposits on the south-east coast of Malta (Central Mediterranean)," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 86(2), pages 543-568, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:86:y:2017:i:2:d:10.1007_s11069-016-2525-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-016-2525-4
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    Cited by:

    1. Trinidad Torres & José E. Ortiz & Rosa Mediavilla & Yolanda Sánchez-Palencia & Juan Ignacio Santisteban & Rogelio Vega-Panizo, 2022. "Assessment of prospective geological hazards in Torrevieja-La Mata coast (western Mediterranean) based on Pleistocene and Holocene events," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 111(3), pages 2721-2748, April.
    2. Lidia Selmi & Thais S. Canesin & Ritienne Gauci & Paulo Pereira & Paola Coratza, 2022. "Degradation Risk Assessment: Understanding the Impacts of Climate Change on Geoheritage," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-19, April.
    3. Geoff Main & Ritienne Gauci & John A. Schembri & David K. Chester, 2022. "A multi-hazard historical catalogue for the city-island-state of Malta (Central Mediterranean)," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 114(1), pages 605-628, October.
    4. Sebastiano D’Amico & Pauline Galea & Ruben P. Borg & Marc Bonello, 2017. "Georisks in the Mediterranean and their mitigation," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 86(2), pages 199-202, April.

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