A high resolution seismic stratigraphic study of the western edge of the Malta Plateau (central Mediterranean Sea) was conducted to reconstruct the depositional mechanisms of the shelf-slope system since the end of the Messinian salinity crisis (MSC; 5.3 Ma).

The accurate interpretation of a large grid of variable-resolution seismic reflection profiles (multichannel and Sub Bottom) allows us to identify and map a Plio-Quaternary sedimentary sequence overlying the Messinian evaporites. The stratal pattern of this sequence is the result of a clinoform prograding system that constitutes the internal structure of a sedimentary shelf developed in a ramp about 2° slope with bathymetries that do not exceed 200 m. This type of shelf is a physiographic feature where the shelf edge separates littoral from bathyal realms, differing from the definition of continental shelf that implies the presence of a continent-ocean margin.

The evolution of the western edge of Malta Plateau differs from adjacent sectors. Unlike to the nearby Gela Basin, where the Plio-Quaternary sedimentary sequences were affected by the thrusting of the Sicilian-Maghrebian chain until Middle Pleistocene, in the Malta Plateau the post-Messinian sedimentation was mainly controlled by subsidence and sea level fluctuations. In particular, the Malta Plateau represents a back bulge depozone where moderate fluvial sediment supply together with continuous subsidence favoured the progradation of the upper Pliocene-Pleistocene shelf-slope system at bathymetries not exceeding 200 m.

进行了马耳他高原（地中海中部）西部边缘的高分辨率地震地层学研究，以重建自墨西尼盐分危机（MSC； 5.3 Ma）结束以来的陆架-斜坡系统的沉积机制。

对可变分辨率地震反射剖面（多通道和次底部）的大网格的准确解释，使我们能够识别和绘制覆盖麦西尼亚蒸发岩的Plio-第四纪沉积序列。该层序的层状模式是一个斜向堆积系统的结果，该系统构成了一个沉积架的内部结构，该沉积架以大约2°坡度的坡度发展，且水深不超过200 m。这种架子是一种生理特征，其架子边缘将沿海地带和水深地带分隔开来，这与大陆架的定义不同，大陆架的定义暗示着大陆-海洋边缘的存在。

马耳他高原西部边缘的演化与邻近地区不同。与附近的格拉盆地不同，那里的上新世-第四纪沉积序列受西西里-马格里布链的推力影响，直到中更新世为止，而在马耳他高原，麦西尼亚的沉积主要受沉降和海平面波动的控制。尤其是，马耳他高原是一个后隆起的沉积带，那里适度的河流沉积物供应和连续沉降有利于在不超过200 m的测深条件下上新世-更新世陆架-斜坡系统的发育。