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Large boulders have been found on marine cliffs from 22 study sites on Majorca, in the Balearic Islands (Western Mediterranean). These large imbricated boulders of up to 25 t are located on platforms that form the rocky coastline of Majorca, several tens of meters from the edge of the cliff, up to 15 m above sea level and kilometers away from any inland escarpment. They are located on the east and south coasts of Majorca, where wave height and energy are low compared with those from the N and NE. Further, the boulders are located in the exact places where numerical models of tsunami simulation from submarine earthquakes on the North African coast predict tsunami impact on Majorca. Documentary sources also confirm a very large tsunami affecting the SE coast of Majorca in 1756, with a run-in up to 2 km and a run-up up to 45 m. According to radiocarbon data and rate of growth of dissolution pans, the ages of the boulders of the studied localities range between 1591 CE and 1894 CE, although most of them are concentrated around the year 1790 CE. Although some storm waves might play a role in their dislodging, the distribution of the boulder sites along the island, the degree and direction of imbrication and the run-up necessary for their placement suggest transport from northern African tsunami waves that hit the coastline of Majorca. • Large boulders are present on the cliffs of the southeast of Mallorca Island. • Largest waves affect the island from the north, where no boulders have been found. • Tsunamis from Algeria, both historically and recently, have affected SE Mallorca. • Boulders reflect historical tsunamis and their ages range between 1591 CE and 1894 CE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on Paleontological heritage of Majorca (Balearic archipelago, West Mediterranean) allow to divide the post-tectonic Miocene into depositional cycles separated by sedimentary discontinuities. In this work these sequences are ordered according to Mediterranean glacio-eustatic oscillations. The Tortonian marine cycle end with a restricted lagoon record with grey sapropelic marls and an erosive surface (T/M episode). The marine Messinian transgression starts with a new marine-tidal cycle (entry of Globorotalia mediterranea. MI Synthem-Fm. Calizas de Santanyí) with four diverse records (infralittoral, mangrove-low coastal lagoon etc.) depending on the influence of the emerged relief. The last Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC) is characterized with a new restricted record and a singular Lagomare fauna (MII-Fm. Calizas Pont d’Inca; MIII-Fm. Margas y conglomerados de Rafal-Son Seguí) The resulting paleoenvironmental diversity supports the proposed stratigraphic interpretation. This work thus proposes the differentiation of a tidal marine messinian cycle for the last Miocene of Mallorca, between two restricted episodes. The Majorcan messinian record documents the distension experienced by the Balearic arc according to the influence of relief, which can provide new perspectives regarding the MSC-Lagomare and the settlement of the archipelago in the Messinian age.

Abstract Background Although the Mediterranean island of Majorca is an endemic area of leishmaniosis, there is a lack of up-to-date data on its sand fly fauna, the last report dating from 1989. The aim of the present study was to provide information on the current sand fly distribution, the potential environmental factors favoring the presence of Phlebotomus perniciosus and which areas are at risk of leishmaniosis. Methods In July 2008 sand fly captures were carried out in Majorca with sticky castor oil interception traps. The capture stations were distributed in 77 grids (5x5 km2) covering the entire island. A total of 1,882 sticky traps were set among 111 stations. The characteristics of the stations were recorded and maps were designed using ArcGIS 9.2 software. The statistical analysis was carried out using a bivariate and multivariate logistic regression model. Results The sand fly fauna of Majorca is composed of 4 species: Phlebotomus perniciosus, P sergenti, P. papatasi and Sergentomyia minuta. P. perniciosus, responsible for Leishmania infantum transmission, was captured throughout the island (frequency 69.4 %), from 6 to 772 m above sea level. Through logistic regression we estimated the probability of P. perniciosus presence at each sampling site as a function of environmental and meteorological factors. Although in the initial univariate analyses the probability of P. perniciosus presence appeared to be associated with a wide variety of factors, in the multivariate logistic regression model only altitude, settlement, aspect, drainage hole construction, adjacent flora and the proximity of a sheep farm were retained as positive predictors of the distribution of this species. Conclusions P. perniciosus was present throughout the island, and thereby the risk of leishmaniosis transmission. The probability of finding P. perniciosus was higher at altitudes ranging from 51 to 150 m.a.s.l., with adjacent garrigue shrub vegetation, at the edge of or between settlements, and in proximity to a sheep farm.

Background: Although the Mediterranean island of Majorca is an endemic area of leishmaniosis, there is a lack of up-to-date data on its sand fly fauna, the last report dating from 1989. The aim of the present study was to provide information on the current sand fly distribution, the potential environmental factors favoring the presence of Phlebotomus perniciosus and which areas are at risk of leishmaniosis. Methods: In July 2008 sand fly captures were carried out in Majorca with sticky castor oil interception traps. The capture stations were distributed in 77 grids (5x5 km2) covering the entire island. A total of 1,882 sticky traps were set among 111 stations. The characteristics of the stations were recorded and maps were designed using ArcGIS 9.2 software. The statistical analysis was carried out using a bivariate and multivariate logistic regression model. Results: The sand fly fauna of Majorca is composed of 4 species: Phlebotomus perniciosus, P sergenti, P. papatasi and Sergentomyia minuta. P. perniciosus, responsible for Leishmania infantum transmission, was captured throughout the island (frequency 69.4 %), from 6 to 772 m above sea level. Through logistic regression we estimated the probability of P. perniciosus presence at each sampling site as a function of environmental and meteorological factors. Although in the initial univariate analyses the probability of P. perniciosus presence appeared to be associated with a wide variety of factors, in the multivariate logistic regression model only altitude, settlement, aspect, drainage hole construction, adjacent flora and the proximity of a sheep farm were retained as positive predictors of the distribution of this species. Conclusions: P. perniciosus was present throughout the island, and thereby the risk of leishmaniosis transmission. The probability of finding P. perniciosus was higher at altitudes ranging from 51 to 150 m.a.s.l., with adjacent garrigue shrub vegetation, at the edge of or between settlements, and in proximity to a sheep farm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The island of Majorca forms part of the NE–SW continental Balearic Promontory, which is surrounded by continental and oceanic extensional basins. Majorca has a basin and range physiography mainly resulting from Late Neogene extension. The basins and ranges strike NE–SW. The structure of the ranges consists of thrust faults and associated folds involving Mesozoic series. Paleogene series are also involved in the compressional structures located in the southeast, whereas a stratigraphic hiatus embracing Late Cretaceous and Paleogene is present in the rest of the island. The age of syncompressive rocks and sediments is Chattian to Aquitanian in the SE Llevant Ranges, Aquitanian to Burdigalian in the Central Ranges and Burdigalian to Langhian in the NW Tramuntana Range. Thus compressive deformation progressed from southeast to northwest. The thrust fault hangingwall displacement is to the northwest and shortening is large (44%). Seismic reflection sections reveal the presence of compressive structures in the substratum of the basins. Moreover, normal faults due to WNW–ESE extension occurred during the Serravallian and Tortonian, producing additional subsidence in the basins. Minor compression could have occurred since the onset of the Pleistocene. Majorca was shortened when the extensional basins surrounding the island originated. Available models for the origin and evolution of extensional basins of the Western Mediterranean do not consider the structure observed in Majorca. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The sociology and habits of recreational anglers on the Island of Majorca (western Mediterranean) were evaluated using telephone and on-site surveys, as well as fishing logbooks and recreational fishing competitions. The recreational fishery is one of the island''s main leisure activities, 5.14% of the population (37 265 people) participating. Enthusiasts tend to be mainly middle class (most anglers own boats moored at marinas), middle-aged males (90% male, mean age 46±2 years). The most popular fishing method is from a boat (62.9%), followed by fishing from shore (32.4%), and spearfishing (3.6%). The mean time spent fishing is 3.86±0.03hd−1, and more than one type of gear (mean 1.27±0.21) is used simultaneously by a single angler. The frequency of fishing is 4–6 times per month, mainly on holidays and weekends, increasing in summer. The activity has a sizeable impact on the coastal fauna, with diverse catches of at least 1209.25tyear−1 (about 615 000 fishing outings year−1). Thus, the amount of carbon extracted annually is at least 137.34kgCkm−2 year−1, and the recreational fishery removes about 31% of production at trophic level 4. Although these are gross estimates and more detailed study of the effect on trophic level and local production is needed, the values do highlight the pressure the recreational fishery exerts on coastal fish communities. Assuming that this level of exploitation is common to north-shore Mediterranean countries, there may be cause for concern about sustainable exploitation in the recreational fishery, and the effectiveness of current protection measures is discussed. Despite the limitations of the study, recreational fisheries clearly should be taken into account when considering measures for fisheries management. Moreover, fishing has considerable social import, and the benefits must be taken into account when investments to protect exploited resources are being contemplated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]