New geological map of the Maltese Islands published

An updated geological map of the Maltese Islands was published last week by Malta’s Continental Shelf Department following a contract awarded to BGS in 2021. The new map is the first update for almost 30 years.

BGS has been surveying the Maltese Islands over the last two years, conducting several field surveys between 2021 and 2022. The new geological map is the first update since 1993 and, at a scale of 1:10 000, is over twice the resolution of its predecessor.

The map is available free of charge through the Continental Shelf Department website. Users can navigate the interactive map through seven different themes, or layers, that define the island’s geological landscape. A GIS version of the new map is also available to download in shapefile format.

Working with the Continental Shelf Department in Malta on an updated geological map of Malta has been a wonderful opportunity for BGS to use its longstanding experience and expertise in surveying and mapping. We hope the updated dataset will be of great benefit to those with an interest in the geology of Malta over the coming years.

Dr David Schofield,  director of BGS National and International Geoscience.

The resurveying of the Maltese Islands at a scale of 1:10 000 by BGS represents a significant contribution to the geological mapping of the Maltese Islands. Working with the BGS team over the past two years has been a positive experience with fruitful discussions and exchanges of information leading to a more detailed interpretation of the geology of the Maltese Islands.

Albert Caruana, director general, Continental Shelf Department, Malta.