Malta - Qawra/Dwejra

"DescriptionThe Qawra/Dwejra site combines interesting geology, both on land and under the sea, rich diverse wildlife and habitats, dramatic seascapes dominated by a rocky shoreline, cultural elements spanning from the 3rd century BC to the 19th century AD and a general wilderness feel. Both the inland sea (Qawra) and Dwejra Bay are excellent examples of large-scale circular subsidence structures and associated infill sediments with clear fossil beds. In fact, on western Gozo one finds an impressive number of solution subsidence structures in a relatively small area. These geological formations were formed as underground caverns through a dissolution process which could only have taken place on land. During the Miocene, seafloor collapse created 12 initial structures whereas many others originated from Quaternary subaerial collapse during the Pleistocene, when the emergence of the Maltese Islands reactivated the process. These various structures, some of which are completely submerged, clearly explain the geological history of the Pelagian Block (Central Mediterranean). Superimposed on the geological processes is the geomorphological one with evidence of marine erosion on the subsidence structures. In fact, very good examples of marine erosion processes at work are present at Qawra/Dwejra, with the whole sequence of features being present - sea-caves, tunnels, arches, stacks and reefs..."
Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

Fungus Rock and Azure Window of Dwejra, Gozo, Malta. Thanks to Nathalie who visited Malta and mailed 3 wonderful postcards of Malta using different nice stamps.