The Azure Window in Dwejra, Gozo has collapsed this morning.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170308/local/the-azure-window-lost-and-go ne-forever.641810

Do you think the site could be registered without the arch? I prefer, however, a loss by the forces of nature, a natural site transformed by an active geological process, rather than a site destroyed by the deliberate will of man.

I agree. However, I think the Coastal Cliffs tentative site will now be preferred over the other similar tentative site. Yet, I think that the strongest tentative sites in Malta and Gozo are Mdina and Cittadella.

Ah that is sad, but I suppose that is the way with such natural sites, sadly I guess it will be several thousand years before something as impressive is formed in the area?

I agree that Mdina is the strongest of the Maltese T-List sites.

There are 21 WHS which have Natural arches or bridges. I am not making any comment or comparison as to which are the most impressive or beautiful! I have just had a quick check on Durdle Door - a good few thousands of years left in it yet hopefully!
http://www.worldheritagesite.org/tags/tag.php?id=276

There seem to be enough Natural Arches/Bridges around the world for collapses to be a "relatively" common event. Other recent "Collapses"
Arches NP USA 2008 - https://www.nps.gov/arch/learn/news/news080808.htm
Arches NP USA 2015 (partial) - http://www.naturalarches.org/blog/partial-collapse-of-ring-arch-in-arches-national-pa rk/
Legzira Morocco 2016 - https://www.sott.net/article/329570-Iconic-natural-rock-arch-collapses-onto-beach-in- Morocco

I for one think that with the arch or without, it still lacks OUV. I look forward to visiting Durdle door not only for the arch but also the fossils ;)

Another massive 'arch' collapse happened in Greenland and another massive collapse (not an arch) in Perito Moreno.

Apparently there are plans to push for Dwejra to be recognised as a WHS : http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170312/local/plans-to-push-for-dwejra-to- be-recognised-as-unesco-world-heritage.642118

The photo also shows 2 minor arches which are not as accessible as the one that collapsed.