Geomorphology of the seafloor north east of the Maltese Islands, Central Mediterranean

Abstract

This paper presents a geomorphological map of the seafloor north east of the Maltese Islands (Central Mediterranean) at a scale of 1:50,000. The map was compiled following the integration, analysis and interpretation of several high-resolution seafloor bathymetry datasets. Several structural features, coastal and marine landforms and anthropogenic features have been mapped. Most of the mapped submerged landforms – including fluvial, gravity-induced and karst landforms – appear to have been formed during the sea-level lowstand of the last glacial cycle. The map provides valuable insights on the submerged landscape of the Maltese Islands and its evolution since the Last Glacial Maximum.

Keywords

• geomorphological mapping
• submarine geomorphology
• continental shelf
• palaeolandscape
• malta