The Seismic Monitoring and Research Group at the Department of Geosciences, University of Malta, confirms that three of its seismic stations recorded seismic waves generated by the recent cliff collapse at St Peter’s Pool, Delimara. A section of the cliff face near the popular St. Peter's Pool has collapsed, sending debris and large boulders tumbling onto the rocks below. 

[See the above photo provided by Dr Ritienne Gauci, Geographer at the University of Malta]

Seismic data collected from monitoring stations located at Xrobb l-Għaġin (station name XROB), Wied Dalam (WDD), and Ħaġar Qim Temples (HQIM) indicate that the rockfall event occurred between Wednesday, 26 March, and Thursday, 27 March, at approximately 23:43 local time. [See plot seismograms]

The location method used is known as triangulation, which uses the time of arrival of the seismic wave at each station, the station locations and the seismic wave velocity in the rocks.
[See plot triangulation]

This information provides crucial insights into the timing and dynamics of the collapse, reinforcing the importance of continuous seismic monitoring in Malta’s coastal regions. The Delimara Peninsula, composed of middle and upper Globigerina limestone, is known for its susceptibility to rapid erosion, leading to rockfalls.