Stunning twisted Qolla Safra (yellow hill), Marsalforn

Il-Qolla s-Safra, Marsalforn Bay, Gozo, Malta (Kate)

The most spectacular of the Qollas found on Malta and Gozo. Rising and twisting out of the round hill it is formed on. il-Qolla s-Safra is known as The Yellow Small Hill and is located slightly inland between Qbajjar Bay and Masalforn Bay, Gozo. It has 2 distinct sides that curve downwards towards the same point, yet the top section is twisting at different angles. Like Qolla Bajda the very top section is made of a different material, shape and size

Massive Quartz/Chert crytals of different colours and forms can be found on the hill. Its angled top also has multicoloured burnt sandstone and other minerals.

gEUlogy forum - DIScussion on Qolla Safra and other Qollas found in Gozo and Malta. Also Buttes around the world.

I'm a firestarter, twisted firestarter

Although not massive it dominates the area and is a puzzling strange shape. How was it formed so twisted? What forces can twist yellow sandstone on its own hill but leave the land around it normal? Why is the top a different material and covered in Quartz, Quartz plating and red/yellow/black/white rock?

It's sloping top and curving sides is similar to the Saviours Hill (il-Merzuq) close by. Il-Merzuq Qolla (Ray of Light hill) has a Firestarter legend.

The hill that il-Qolla Safra was created on appears to be mainly grey clay. If the yellow sandstone that encases the Qbajjar Qolla was eroded away then there is little sign of it. The base part of Qolla Safra is rounded, shown by the line of houses built around it. Its tail or mini arete points north east.

If this Qolla is due to erosion or normal geology then what has happened to the sandstone at the back of it (the side pointing towards the sea)?

The Yellow Knoll is easily climbed as long as you approach it correctly.

Vista of Jesus and The White Qolla

At the top you will have a fine and peaceful view of the area. The vista inland (south) shows Tas-Salvatur Hill (the hill with the Jesus statue on it). Although the large statue of Jesus will be the first thing you notice you should also look closer at the hill it is on. Tal-Merzuq Hill as it was originally called, due to ancient legends of fire and light coming from it, has twisting sides and a top that is different in shape, angle and size to the hill it is formed on, similar to Qolla Safra.

To the north west across Qbajjar Beach you can see the strangely isolated Qolla Bajda (The White Qolla).

If you count Tas-Salvatur Hill as a Qolla in everything but name, due to its twisting shape and top, then these 3 Qollas are found in a curving line close to each other. They also show signs of the development of Qollas in an Electric Universe.

Qolla Safra (Kate phase) would appear to be the next or a later stage of development of Qollas from The White Qolla or Tony phase.

Quartz crystals and burnt topping?

On the twisted top section of Kate you will find large sections of quartz/chert crystals and chert plating. Mixed in with the sandstone and sometimes other minerals. Quatrz found on Malta does not appear to be a replacement mineral but its own rock attached to other rocks. Some of the quartz krystals are giant for Malta.

At the top whilst appreciating the fantastic view of the Marsalforn Bay area you can also see multicoloured rock. Blacks, whites and reds beside each other. As though the yellow sandstone rock has been burnt or been transformed by energy. If the Qolla was formed by the Electric Universe and the twisting shape caused by massive electrical forces then this would help to explain the quartz crystals and the burnt areas of rock. They may, of course, been transformed by fire or a lightning hit but they are very precise areas.

* Qolla Tal-Merzuq (Ray of Light Hill) - volcano like and legendary hill
* Qolla Bajda - the white Qolla with iron concretions
* Qolla Safra (the Yellow Small Hill) - EYE view - photograph album
* Qolla Icke - stone clad Qolla on Malta?
* gEUlogy articles - index / sitemap

* Geology forum - g(EU)logy to Geology
* gEUlogy forum - DIScussion about Qollas on Gozo and Malta
* Nipples (geology) - funny shaped Buttes, hills and mountains around the world

Pathfinder - how to climb Qolla Safra

Follow Triq Il-Qbajjar until you are very close to Qolla Safra on its east side. You will see a one space "car park"/layby at the side of the road with a dirt path leading North. When you get to the golden hill climb up onto the Qolla and go up to its north part. Here you can then switch angles as the top section suddenly twists upwards in the opposite direction.

The top can be climbed quickly but if you take your time you can see lots of quartz and the inside of the Qolla. Then at the very top you will see the multicoloured rock/sandstone. It looks like it has been burnt in a fire, which is what partial vitrification or a sudden surge of power could do to it.

The other way is to park in the houses near "The Hillocks" to the east and climb up the east side. Do not try to climb up to the Yellow Mound direct from Qbajjar Bay, especially in summer. It's a lot harder than it looks due to the terracing and the thistles.