Fomm Ir-Rih Bay - stunning syncline, beach and view
image linking to Discussion on gEUlogy article, posting or chatPhoto of Sandstone? Syncline on a Limestone Island but the land at the top is basically the same linePhoto showing sheer Cliffs rising out of the sea on one side with a semi circular crater bay in itimage linking to Discussion to Everything Is Electric article,  posting or chat
gEUlogy - a veiw of the Earth
The study of the Earth in an Electric Universe

Malta Synclines - the decline of Geology
What don't you see with all synclines?
It's so obvious it's difficult to spot

Clifftastic
How much Geology variation in one bay? What can cause and create all of this?

It's an Electric Universe
The Sun and all the Stars are made of charged Plasma.


Fomm Ir-Rih Bay, Malta - Syncline and beach


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There are at least a couple of synclines in Malta with the most stunning located at Fomm Ir-Rih Bay. This very pretty area on the west coast of Malta also has one of the biggest Maltese mysteries. Cart Ruts lead straight off the cliff top on the Ras-il-Pellegrin headland. How and why? How much has the landscape changed for this to happen...what process could have removed so much land?


Synclines in Malta and The Birth Of Rock

Both of the proper synclines involve the same kind of rock, the same kind of angle and located in a Cliff (Irdum) on the West coast of Malta.

The Syncline at Fomm Ir-Rih Bay near Bahijira is the most spectcular in an incredible location. The Syncline itself defies logic but when compared to the rest of its surroundings it is a magic of Geology.

  • Why is only this section of rock folded into a Syncline?
  • Why have they eroded horizontally at the same speed as all the other different rock making up the syncline and the cliff?
  • Why are both synclines at the top of the cliff?


Non identical Twins?

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To the side of the Fomm Ir-Rih syncline is a rounded shaped hill with different horizontal layers. The white layer in the syncline seems to match the material found in the multi domed hill beside it. The multi rolling hilltop, although next to the syncline and only seperated by the narrow Wied, is formed of white and yellow rock, in stark contract to the outside orange and grey of the syncline itself. This Hillock seems to be a Qolla and there is also another very small but shapely white Qolla nearby. The sides of the syncline nearest the Wied have Grey Rock which matches in colour the lower Fomm Ir-Rih Irdum (Cliffs).

The white layer of rock that goes through the Syncline would likely to be the same as the larger white layer found in the Qolla. Would Geology say that the rock above and below the white layer has been changed due to any number of reasons involving stresses and pressures deep underground? Notice how the shape of land does not really change where the syncline is, either to the front, back, sides or above it? Notice that although the white rock layer in the syncline matches the white Qolla layer the rock above this layer is anything but white. If the Syncline is due to the rock being pushed up where has the white layer gone? Unless it is in there but the the outside has changed slightly. There does seem to be small patches of it but it will have to be looked at closer to try to confirm if the white rock is inside also. The Scree does seem to be white inside but why is it so Grey Rock on the outside and why does it stop and why does it seem to stop to the left (north) of the syncline?


Seperated at Birth?

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Seperating the syncline and the layered Qolla is not just the different rock type but also the thin Wied (Wadi). How has this tiny Wadi formed between them. If it is water erosion how has it eroded away lots of different types of rock at the same rate down the hillside? Where did all that water come from and why has it not eroded any further or happened elsewhere?

The Wied leads down to a small secluded and quieter beach next to a semi-circular bay or crater that looks as if it was machine drilled out.


Caused by erosion?

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There is also on the Fomm Ir-Rih Cliffs an out of place semi circular bay/crater.


It is like a finger pointing toward the moon...

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The key to the whole creation story of this area maybe the small semi-circular bay (crater bay) that is found in the Fomm Ir-Rih Irdum (Cliff) as it gets close to the beach. Why has only this been eroded by the sea when the cliff is very long and curves so smoothly away into the sea? The crater bay does show small signs of what might be actual sea water erosion so you can compare it with what you dont see along the rest of the cliff face.


...don't concentrate on the finger or you will miss all that heavenly glory

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At the top of this semi circular EDM is the strangest of stone slabs. Exactly where you would expect in an Electrical Universe to find signs and physical evidence of a rock forming PDE you find this slab standing out of nowhere. It is split in 2 by a channel that has a little water runnoff into the crater bay.


Directions and map of the Fomm Ir-Rih Bay
and its secluded beach


Larger map with directions of Fomm ir-Rih Bay (Ras-il-Pellegrin) and it's beach, Malta
- also includes the Cart Ruts leading straight off the cliff top

If you are going in the direction from Mgarr (Golden Bay) towards Bahrija you will see a road on the right with a green arrow on the wall. Follow the green arrows and these will take you to Fomm Ir-Rih Bay.

There is no direct access to the beach. You will have to park up and walk along the road on the top of the syncline (south) then climb down either the gap beside the syncline (dodgy) or carry on down the slope of the hill beside it and then find the path along the cliff face.

The other easier route but further to drive, is to go south to through the Bingemma Gap and round to Bahrija. Then go through the town "center" to the Fomm Ir-Rih Bay public carpark and walk from there towards the syncline.
A spectacular view from this side!

On your way have a look at the ironstone table and the crater bay cut into the cliffside.