VALLETTA, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The Azure Window, Malta's most famous natural landscape located in its second largest island Gozo, may collapse after decades due to long-time sea and wind erosion, according to a report released by the Maltese government on Saturday.

The Geological and Geotechnical Report on the Azure Window, Gozo: Rock Assessment and Recommendations on Preservation and Conservation, estimated that the arch section of the Azure Window will inevitably collapse and the pillar section will become a stack in the future.

Malta's national newspaper Times of Malta quoted Geologist Peter Gatt as saying on Saturday, "It is safe to say that the Azure Window is not facing any imminent collapse as was previously believed. This still doesn't mean it will last forever - this is a process."

Serious worries over the Azure Window's stability were raised last year when a large part of the arch's supporting side collapsed, significantly widening the iconic landmark's "window." But Gatt insisted that the widening had not increased the arch's length and had even reduced the mass of the pillar, not affecting its stability.

He said that the bridge between the pillar and the mainland consisted of two layers of rock. As much as 90 percent of the bottom layer fell over the past 30 years but the top layer remained stable.

The three-month study had also dismissed previous recommendations of long metal bolts to be inserted into the rock formation as the rock was soft.

Dr Gatt called for close monitoring of the Azure window, and the Environment Minister Leo Brincat said he would discuss the implementation of a monitoring system with the Gozo Ministry.

The Azure Window is one of the most photographed vistas of Malta, and is particularly spectacular during the winter, when waves crash high inside the arch. At the end of the cliff, the Azure Window is a giant doorway, through which one can admire the water expanse beyond the cliff. The sea around is very deep and of a dark blue hue, which explains why it is called the Azure Window.