Geological Map of the Maltese Islands - Quaternary Feature

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.