Last week, Malta’s iconic Azure Window succumbed to a strong storm off the coast of the island of Gozo. The natural rock formation and arch was subject to erosion, and collapse was inevitable, according to a commissioned study. But it came far sooner than expected. The 2013 study stated it would “likely survive for decades to come,” according to the Times of Malta.
“Reports commissioned over the years indicated that this landmark would be hard hit by unavoidable natural corrosion,” said Malta’s Prime Minister Joseph Muscat on Twitter.
The Azure Window has featured heavily not only in topside postcards and television shows like “Game of Thrones.”
It was also part of a popular dive site on Malta. What does it look like underwater now? This week a video by Joseph Caruana shows the resulting underwater topography.
What does it look like now?
Though other underwater videos are also appearing, Maltese authorities have warned against any diving or snorkeling in the area, since no one has yet had a chance to survey the new underwater topography and the environment could present a risk.
