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Azure Window

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The Azure Window (Maltese: it-Tieqa Żerqa), also known as the Dwejra Window (Maltese: it-Tieqa tad-Dwejra), was a 28-metre-tall (92 ft) limestone natural arch on the island of Gozo in Malta. It was located in Dwejra Bay in the limits of San Lawrenz, close to the Inland Sea and the Fungus Rock. It was one of Malta's major tourist attractions. The arch, together with other natural features in the area of Dwejra, is featured in a number of international films and other media representations.

The formation was anchored on the east end by the seaside cliff, arching over open water, to be anchored to a free standing pillar in the sea to the west of the cliff. It was created when two limestone sea caves collapsed. Following years of natural erosion causing parts of the arch to fall into the sea, the arch and free standing pillar collapsed completely during a storm on 8 March 2017.

History

The Azure Window in 2006
In 2012 after the partial collapse

The Azure Window developed through sea and rain erosion of a cliff face over a period of about 500 years.[1][2] The arch was one of Malta's main tourist landmarks, and it was a popular backdrop in photographs.[1] It was included in a Special Area of Conservation,[2][3] and in 1998, it was included on Malta's tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, along with the rest of Dwejra Bay.[2][4]

Between the 1980s and the 2000s, parts of the top slab of the arch collapsed, significantly widening the arch.[3] A large slab of rock on the outer edge of the cavity collapsed in April 2012, further increasing the size of the window.[5] Another rock fall occurred in March 2013. A geological and geotechnical report was prepared four months later, and it determined that the arch was "relatively stable and will continue to remain so for a number of years", although it warned that rock falls will continue and it might be hazardous for people to go close to the arch.[2][3]

Further rock falls and fissures were reported in subsequent years.[6] Fishermen avoided going near the arch with their boats, and warning signs were put up to discourage people from walking on top.[2][7] However, many people still went on the arch on a regular basis,[8] and videos were uploaded on YouTube of people cliff diving from the window as rocks were falling down.[9][10]

In December 2016, an emergency order was published prohibiting people from going on the arch, with trespassers facing a fine of €1500.[11] However, this law was not enforced, and visitors were still walking on top of the arch days before it collapsed in March 2017.[12]

Collapse

Part of the pillar which fell in 2012

The entire structure, including the pillar, collapsed at around 08:40 UTC (09:40 a.m. local time) on 8 March 2017 after a period of heavy storms, leaving nothing visible above sea level.[13][14]

The collapse was reported in both local and international media.[15][16] Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Leader of the Opposition Simon Busuttil both tweeted about the collapse of the Azure Window,[17][18] and it also became the subject of many Internet memes on Maltese social media.[19][20] The Environment and Resources Authority called the collapse a major loss to Malta's natural heritage.[13]

Geology

The Azure Window was a natural arch with a height of about 28 m (92 ft) and a span of around 25 m (82 ft). It was located at the tip of a headland known as Dwejra Point. The arch was comprised of two types of Lower Coralline Limestone, known as Member A and Member B. Member A formed the arch's pillar and base, while Member B formed the upper layer including most of the unsupported arch.[3]

Panorama of the Azure Window with its natural surroundings in 2012

The arch was located close to the Inland Sea, a large circular sinkhole reached by a small arch that developed along a joint in the rocks. The Fungus Rock, an islet that was formed when the bridge of a natural arch collapsed leaving a stack, is also found nearby. Another natural arch, the Wied il-Mielaħ Window, is located about 3.7 km (2.3 mi) northeast of Dwejra.[2][3][21]

Media appearances

The Azure Window features in a number of films, including Clash of the Titans (1981) and The Count of Monte Cristo (2002).[22] It can also be seen in the television miniseries The Odyssey (1997).[16] It was used as a filming location for the Dothraki wedding scene in the first season of HBO's TV series Game of Thrones.[23] The filming of Game of Thrones resulted in controversy when a protected ecosystem was damaged by a subcontractor.[24] David Colturi is featured in a 2017 Hugo Boss advert video at the Azure Window and the Wied il-Mielaħ Window.[25]

References

  1. ^ a b Martin, Ivan (19 July 2013). "The Azure Window is still safe... for now". Times of Malta. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Dwejra — A Coastal Nature Park (PDF). Life Project (Report). European Commission. pp. 1–8. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 September 2008.
  3. ^ a b c d e Geoscience Consulting (July 2013). Geological and geotechnical report on the Azure Window, Gozo: Rock assessment and recommendations for preservation and conservation (PDF) (Report). Ministry for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 March 2017.
  4. ^ "Qawra/Dwejra". UNESCO. Archived from the original on 1 April 2016.
  5. ^ "Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses". Times of Malta. 17 April 2012. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016.
  6. ^ "A huge part of the Dwejra Window rock collapsed". TVM. 26 June 2016. Archived from the original on 29 June 2016.
  7. ^ "Dwejra Azure Window fissure grows, collapse may be close". The Malta Independent. 6 December 2015. Archived from the original on 23 June 2016.
  8. ^ "Iconic Azure Window in Dwejra loses another chunk (but people are still walking on it)". The Malta Independent. 29 August 2016. Archived from the original on 29 August 2016.
  9. ^ Mizzi, Daniel (27 November 2016). "Rocks fall off picturesque Azure Window after cliff jumper dive". Malta Today. Archived from the original on 27 November 2016.
  10. ^ "Watch: Rocks fall as man jumps off the Azure Window". Times of Malta. 27 November 2016. Archived from the original on 28 November 2016.
  11. ^ "€1,500 fine if you step on Azure Window from now on". Times of Malta. 3 December 2016. Archived from the original on 4 December 2016.
  12. ^ "Dozens trespass across Azure Window without a care in the world". Times of Malta. 4 March 2017. Archived from the original on 4 March 2017.
  13. ^ a b "Dwejra Window collapses; geologist says pillar gave way". The Malta Independent. 8 March 2017. Archived from the original on 8 March 2017.
  14. ^ Schicluna, Chris; Balmer, Crispian (8 March 2017). "Malta's 'Azure Window' rock formation collapses into the sea". Reuters. Archived from the original on 8 March 2017.
  15. ^ "Malta's Azure Window collapses into the sea". BBC News Online. 8 March 2017. Archived from the original on 8 March 2017.
  16. ^ a b "Malta's famous Azure Window rock formation has collapsed". The Daily Telegraph. 8 March 2017. Archived from the original on 8 March 2017.
  17. ^ Østbø, Stein (8 March 2017). "Kjent turistattraksjon kollapset: Asurvinduet – eller Azure Window – på Gozo utenfor Malta kollapset i storm onsdag morgen". VG (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 8 March 2017.
  18. ^ "The Azure Window: lost and gone forever". Times of Malta. 8 March 2017. Archived from the original on 8 March 2017.
  19. ^ "The Azure Window: humour takes over". Times of Malta. 8 March 2017. Archived from the original on 8 March 2017.
  20. ^ Grech Urpani, David (8 March 2017). "13 Brutally Hilarious Memes of the Azure Window Collapse". Lovin Malta. Archived from the original on 8 March 2017.
  21. ^ Malta – Guide Verdi Europa (in Italian). Touring Editore. 2007. p. 143. ISBN 9788836533176.
  22. ^ Khomami, Nadia (8 March 2017). "'It's heartbreaking': Maltese mourn collapse of Azure Window arch". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 8 March 2017.
  23. ^ Roberts, Josh (1 April 2012). "Where HBO's hit Game of Thrones was filmed". USA Today. Archived from the original on 1 April 2012.
  24. ^ Peregin, Christian (17 November 2010). "'Total elimination of ecosystem' at Dwejra". Times of Malta. Archived from the original on 20 March 2016.
  25. ^ "La "finestra azzurra" dell'isola di Gozo non c'è più". AGI (Agenzia Giornalistica Italia) (in Italian). 8 March 2017. Archived from the original on 8 March 2017.
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