

You have already added 0 works in your ORCID record related to the merged Research product.
You have already added 0 works in your ORCID record related to the merged Research product.
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
document.write('<div id="oa_widget"></div>');
document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src="https://beta.openaire.eu/index.php?option=com_openaire&view=widget&format=raw&projectId=undefined&type=result"></script>');
-->
</script>
The submerged paleolandscape of the Maltese Islands: Morphology, evolution and relation to Quaternary environmental change

handle: 11380/1331520
The submerged paleolandscape of the Maltese Islands: Morphology, evolution and relation to Quaternary environmental change
After the end of the Last Glacial Maximum, 450 km2 of former terrestrial and coastal landscape of the Maltese Islands was drowned by the ensuing sea level rise. In this study we use high resolution seafloor data (multibeam echosounder data, seismic reflection profiles, and Remotely Operated Vehicle imagery) and bottom samples to reconstruct ~ 300 km2 of this submerged Maltese paleolandscape. The observed paleolandscape is exceptionally well preserved and comprises former coastal landforms – (i) fault-related escarpments, (ii) paleoshore platforms and associated shorelines, (iii) paleoshoreline deposits, and (iv) mass movement deposits – and former terrestrial landforms – (v) river valleys, (vi) alluvial plains, (vii) karstified limestone plateaus, and (viii) sinkholes. These elements indicate that the paleolandscape has been primarily shaped by tectonic activity combined with fluvial, coastal, slope instability and karstic processes; these are the same processes the shaped the current terrestrial and coastal landscape. By correlating the identified landforms with the timing of known changes in sea level during the last glacial cycle, we infer that the alluvial plains and the shallowest limestone plateaus had up to 100 kyr to develop, whereas the paleoshoreline deposits are likely to have formed between 28 kyr and 14 kyr. The most prominent paleoshore platforms, shorelines and river valleys were generated between 60 kyr and 20 kyr. Fluvial erosion is likely to have been prevalent during periods of low sea level (Last Glacial Maximum and stadial conditions during MIS 3), whereas karst processes should have been more effective during warm and humid interstadial periods. Our results have implications for improving the characterization of past environments and climates, as well as providing a much needed background for prehistoric and geoarcheological research in the central Mediterranean region.
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Italy
- University of Malta Malta
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution United States
- Natural Environment Research Council United Kingdom
- University of Southampton United Kingdom
550, Geology, Mediterranean, 551, Oceanography, Maltese Islands; Mediterranean; Quaternary; Sea level change; Seafloor mapping; Submerged paleolandscape;, Maltese Islands, submerged paleolandscape, Quaternary, Geochemistry and Petrology, sea level change, seafloor mapping, MAG: Landform, MAG: Fluvial, MAG: Last Glacial Maximum, MAG: Karst, MAG: Paleontology, MAG: Glacial period, MAG: Stadial, MAG: Quaternary, MAG: Sea level, MAG: Geology
550, Geology, Mediterranean, 551, Oceanography, Maltese Islands; Mediterranean; Quaternary; Sea level change; Seafloor mapping; Submerged paleolandscape;, Maltese Islands, submerged paleolandscape, Quaternary, Geochemistry and Petrology, sea level change, seafloor mapping, MAG: Landform, MAG: Fluvial, MAG: Last Glacial Maximum, MAG: Karst, MAG: Paleontology, MAG: Glacial period, MAG: Stadial, MAG: Quaternary, MAG: Sea level, MAG: Geology
1 Research products, page 1 of 1
- 2009IsAmongTopNSimilarDocuments
citations This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).79 popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.Top 1% influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).Top 10% impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.Top 10% visibility views 6 - 6views
Data source Views Downloads IRIS UNIMORE - Archivio istituzionale della ricerca - Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia 6 0

