Geography of Malta

Islands

Geology

The geology of Malta consists of a sequence of sedimentary rocks of late Oligocene to late Miocene age cut through by a set of extensional faults of Pliocene age. The sequence is divided into five formations, from the oldest, the Lower Coralline Limestone, followed by the Globigerina Limestone, the Blue Clay and the youngest unit, the Upper Coralline Limestone.

Seascape

The seabed surrounding Malta's islands retains traces of ancient geomarine features, suggesting potential archaeological discoveries that could shed light on the region's prehistoric environment. The shelf is narrower south of the archipelago and wider on its northern side, with swaths of seagrass close to shore and maerl in the outer part of the shelf. These form belts are regulated by the availability of light and intensity of currents.

Climate

Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers.

Elevation extremes

The lowest point is the Mediterranean Sea at 0 m (0 ft) and the highest point is Ta' Dmejrek at 253 m (830 ft).

Land use

• Arable land: 28.12%
• Permanent crops: 4.06%
• Other: 67.81% (2011)

Irrigated land

32 km² (12 sq mi) (2007)

Total renewable water resources

0.05 km³ (0.012 cu mi) (2011)

Environment

Current issues

According to Eurostat, in 2023, 34.7% of Maltese households reported being affected by pollution, grime, or other environmental nuisances, making Malta the nation with the highest percentage in the European Union for that year and more than double the EU average of 12.2%. The rate has been increasing steadily from 26.5% in 2017 and highlights several issues: traffic-related emissions, dust from road or building works, garbage waiting to be collected, rodent and cockroach infestations, sea slime during the summer months, noise pollution, a lack of greenery and illegal dumping.

In 2023, Malta recorded an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 12 micrograms per cubic metre, more than double the number of fine-particle pollutants recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The WHO guidelines are 5 micrograms per cubic meter. The World Air Quality Report 2023 by IQAir ranked Malta 49th out of 134 countries (best to worst) for PM2.5 concentration, while among European countries, Malta ranked 26th when ordered from best to worst air quality. Fine particles include contaminants like sulphates, black carbon, nitrates, and ammonium, specifically those measuring 2.5 millionths of a meter, approximately one-fiftieth the diameter of human hair. These little particles, despite their size, can significantly harm human health since they are readily absorbed into the lungs and bloodstream, resulting in conditions such as asthma, cancer, strokes, and lung disease, and have been associated with automobile use and construction, among other contributors. From 2011 to 2021, the number of residences in Malta increased from about 224,000 to over 297,000, representing a growth of roughly one-third, exceeding the population's rise. The quantity of automobiles in Malta has persistently risen, currently exceeding 420,000, with approximately 30 new vehicles being introduced daily. Official data from the National Statistics Office reveals that there are more than 18,000 automobiles per square kilometre of road and 1,500 cars for every 1,000 individuals.

Limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination. A 2021 study assessed the impact of climate change on the groundwater resources of the Maltese Islands, simulating the combined effects of sea-level rise, reduced groundwater recharge, and increased water demand on Malta’s mean sea-level aquifer up to the year 2100. The model was calibrated using observed hydraulic data from 1944, 1990, and 2014. The results indicated that rising water demand and decreasing recharge are the dominant drivers of groundwater decline, while sea-level rise has a relatively minor direct effect over the study period. In the worst-case scenarios, freshwater storage could fall by more than 16% by 2100. Localised overextraction, particularly in southeastern Malta, was shown to accelerate saltwater intrusion, posing a risk of contamination.

Since 2016, the network of Mediterranean Experts on Climate and Environmental Change (MedECC) supported by the Union for the Mediterranean and Plan Bleu (UN Environment/MAP Regional Activity Centre), has been assessing the risks associated with climate and environmental changes in the Mediterranean. They indicate the average annual air temperatures have risen by around 1.5 °C compared to the preindustrial era, significantly more than the current global warming trend of +1.1 °C, with projections of 2.2 °C by 2040 and more than 3.8 °C by 2100.

Surface seawater temperature was found to have risen by approximately 0.4 °C every decade. The forecasts for 2100 range from +1.8 °C to +3.5 °C compared to the period between 1961 and 1990. Sea levels have risen approximately 3 mm annually over recent decades, while the future global mean sea level is projected to range from 52 to 190 cm by 2100, resulting in increased coastal threats associated with rising sea levels, storm surges, and flooding. Seawater acidification, primarily caused by the sea absorbing excess carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere together with increased temperatures, adversely affects carbonate shells and skeletons. Mass mortality events among marine species are anticipated to be replaced by non-native ones, particularly those originating from the Red Sea.

The frequency of extreme occurrences such as heat waves, droughts, floods, and fires is anticipated to increase. Droughts may exacerbate social strife in the Mediterranean region. Scarce resources and wars can result in widespread people migrations. Heat-related illnesses and mortality will increase, particularly due to the urban heat island effect. Climate change will influence the proliferation of vector- and waterborne illnesses, while the quality of air, soil, and water will decline. Pollen allergies are expected to increase, while sanitary conditions may decline due to the ensuing societal and political circumstances.

International agreements

• Party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands