Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1466490
NEWS 9 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 1 MAY 2022 heritage. The public has been very curi- ous about what the former Azure Win- dow looks like today, and for the first time, through this 3D-model, the site is shown and explained in its entirety." More generally, the work helps draw attention to Dwejra's sensitivity: "It presents a good opportunity to spread awareness about this place, particularly the importance of conserving it. From its geology and ecology, to its archaeol- ogy and dark night sky, Dwejra is a very special place to anyone who has our nat- ural and cultural heritage at heart," Prof. Caruana said. "Arches are generally short-lived fea- tures. The Azure Window was but a single facet of the site. It is difficult to over-emphasise the importance of the whole of Dwejra – from the unique con- centration of sinkholes it hosts, such as Il-Qawra (the 'Inland Sea'), to the views it permits of our universe. From this dark site we are able to observe objects so dis- tant that their light started its journey across the cosmos when such geomor- phic features had not yet even formed," he added, emphasising that every effort should be made by the government and authorities to adequately protect this site. To help the general public learn more about the work, a documentary feature has been produced and is available at www.dwejra.net Study authors: Joseph Caruana, John Wood, Erica Nocerino, Fabio Menna, Aaron Micallef, Timmy Gambin. The 3D-model can serve as a guide for the many divers that visit the site every year to explore the Azure Window's remains. "It also allows the non-diving public to view the underwater site, which forms part of the islands' underwater heritage. The public has been very curious about what the former Azure Window looks like today, and for the first time, through this 3D-model, the site is shown and explained in its entirety," said Prof. Joseph Caruana "The base weakened to the extent that the pillar eventually gave way, falling towards the southwest and breaking into two main sections that separated along the lithological boundary – the partition delineating two different types of rock."