In News:

A recent study published in the Journal of Cultural Heritage warns that rising sea levels may submerge Easter Island’s iconic Moai statues by 2080, endangering both the island’s cultural heritage and tourism-based economy.

About Moai Statues

• What they are: Massive monolithic statues carved from volcanic rock by the Rapa Nui people, the island’s first Polynesian settlers.
• Time of construction: Approx. 1250–1500 CE (some estimates: 1400–1650 CE).
• Number: Nearly 1,000 statues have been identified.
• Features:
  • Tallest statue: ~33 feet high.
  • Made primarily of volcanic tuff.
  • Carved in the likeness of ancestors.
• Cultural role:
  • Built to honor chiefs and important individuals.
  • Placed on rectangular stone platforms called ahu, which also served as tombs.
  • Each statue has unique traits to represent the person commemorated.

Study Findings

• Researchers used digital twin models and advanced simulations to project flooding risks caused by sea-level rise.
• Results show that by 2080, seasonal waves could reach Ahu Tongariki – the largest ceremonial platform on the island, part of the Rapa Nui National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995).
• The flooding could impact 51 cultural assets, including the world-famous Moai statues.
• The study emphasizes the urgency of local community planning to safeguard heritage against climate risks.

Easter Island – Key Facts

• Location: Eastern Pacific Ocean.
• Forms part of the Polynesian Triangle along with Hawaii and New Zealand – the traditional homeland of Polynesian peoples.
• Known globally for its archaeological and cultural significance, particularly the Moai statues.