Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 12, 3421–3431, 2012 www.nat-hazards-earth-syst-sci.net/12/3421/2012/ Natural Hazards doi:10.5194/nhess-12-3421-2012 and Earth © Author(s) 2012. CC Attribution 3.0 License. System Sciences Seismic site response of unstable steep slope using noise measurements: the case study of Xemxija Bay area, Malta F. Panzera1, S. D’Amico2, A. Lotteri2, P. Galea2, and G. Lombardo1 1Dip. Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali, Universita` di Catania, Italy 2Physics Department, University of Malta, Msida, Malta Correspondence to: F. Panzera (
[email protected]) Received: 18 April 2012 – Revised: 22 August 2012 – Accepted: 5 September 2012 – Published: 21 November 2012 Abstract. Landslide phenomena involve the northern coast islands (Fig. 1). The Maltese economy is mainly based on of Malta, affecting in particular the urban area of Xemxija. the tourism industry and has increased since the 1970s with Limestones overlying a clayey formation represent the shal- a high degree of coastal urban settlements. lower lithotypes that characterize the surficial geology of this In order to better preserve the historical heritage, land- area, where lateral spreading phenomena and rockfalls take scapes, and coastal areas and to promote tourism activities, it place. has been proposed that the archipelago might be considered Ambient noise records, processed through spectral ratio as an open air laboratory. In this context multidisciplinary techniques, were analysed in order to characterize the dy- studies integrating geology, engineering, geomorphology as namic behavior of the rock masses affected by the presence well as history and archeology may be undertaken in order of fractures linked to the landslide body existing in the area.