This theme contains information about Solution Subsidence Structures (Q -Quaternary and M -Miocene).

The Stratigraphical boundaries are indicated by solid lines where observed and by dashed lines where inferred.

Qs - Modern beach sands (HOLOCENE).Qv - Valley fill (LATE PLEISTOCENE-HOLOCENE, TYRRHENIAN): Low angle subaerial fanglomerate cones, terra rossas, local clays and alluvium. Fanglomerates frequently are dominated by subangular carbonate lithoclast breccias and interpenetrative channels. Intercalated terra rossa palaeosols often contain rhizoid (root) fabrics and nodular caliche of varying ages but all post date valley cutting.Thickness 0-7m. Qb - Dunes and raised beach deposits (LATE PLEISTOCENE-HOLOCENE, TYRRHENIAN): Wind blown foraminiferal, marine mollusc and quartzarenitic grainstones. In Malta, the Marfa Point deposit contains rhizoid fabrics, and pulmonate gastropods of undiagnostic age. Terra rossa palaeosols are intercalated in some sections. The main deposits in Gozo are at Ramla Bay. Thickness 0-3m. Qt - Tufa and travertine deposits (? EARLY PLEISTOCENE): Friable, cream coloured lime mudstones, and wackestones with abundant plant remains, pulmonate and hydrobid gastropods. All deposits developed before termination of valley incision. The Fiddien Valley deposit near Rabat (Malta) pre-dates the terra rossa palaeosols but molluscan faunas are undiagnostic of age. Thickness 0-16m.

The Tertiary theme gives information on the Miocene and Oligocene bedrock divided at Member level.It was produced from the Geological Map of the Maltese Islands published at a scale of 1:25,000 by the Oil Exploration Directorate (OPM) in 1993. This map depicts the bedrock geology of the Maltese Islands including lithological and structural information.

The Fault theme contains information on faults and fault controlled synclines divided into threeclasses as follows:Fault Obs - Observed faults are indicated by solid lines. Downthrow direction indicated by bars and sense of relative movement indicated by arrows;Fault Inf - Inferred faults are indicated by dashed lines. Downthrow direction indicated by bars and sense of relative movement indicated by arrows;Fold Syncline - Fault controlled syncline axial trace.

The original data was provided by CSD in WGS 84 and subsequently transformed by ERA into ETRS89TM33. ERA has processed the data for reporting obligations emanating under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.

The location of offshore exploratory oil wells, as provided by the Continental Shelf Department for Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC) reporting purposes.

The boundary used for the definition of seabed/subsoil is based on the area currently designated for hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation without prejudice to Malta's continental shelf boundary. This incorporates the seabed/subsoil beneath the WFD Coastal Waters. The original data was provided by CSD in WGS 84 and subsequently transformed by ERA into ETRS89TM33. ERA has processed the data for reporting obligations emanating under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.

The original data was provided by CSD in WGS 84 and subsequently transformed by ERA into ETRS89TM33. ERA has processed the data for reporting obligations emanating under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. The water column boundary for MSFD purposes shall be taken as a boundary which extends to 25 nm without prejudice to Malta's jurisdiction beyond this limit. This incorporates the WFD Coastal Waters.