Mapping quaternary deposits in a Maltese valley

Abstract

Deposits are amongst the least mentioned and studied types of rock in Malta. This is due to a number of reasons, ranging from the lack of consistency in geographical distribution and nature of the deposits formed in the Quaternary Period, to the fact that the Quaternary Deposits are not a useful material for construction. This study aims to add new and revelatory information on the Quaternary Deposits found on the island of Malta. First, the Salini Valley was chosen for an on-site investigation as a prospective area for an abundant sample of Quaternary Deposits. Recordings of ambient noise were used to investigate the soft sediments of the valley. From the results of these findings, the sediments found in the Salini Valley were identified as Quaternary Deposits. A new and detailed explanation was given about the distribution of the different types of this sample of Quaternary deposits, in relation to both the shape and elevation of Salini Valley. From these results, a new site has been confirmed as a landscape feature which is rich in Quaternary Deposits, adding relevant information to the thus far limited body of work about Maltese Quaternary Deposits. The results also show clearly that the ambient noise recording technique of sediment identification is a reliable tool which can be used to investigate similar soft sediments found across the Maltese Islands without physical alteration of the sediment under study. This non-invasive technique allows future investigations on Maltese Quaternary Deposits to ensue at a faster pace than they did during the last century, further enriching the scientific knowledge about the origins, types and distribution of Maltese Quaternary Deposits.