A recent study published in the Journal of Cultural Heritage warns that sea level rise may jeopardize 15 iconic Moai statues on Easter Island and around 50 other cultural sites in the area. Noah Paoa, the study’s lead author and a Rapanui indigenous person, emphasizes the urgency of the threat. Researchers created a “digital twin” of the island’s east coastline to model future wave impacts, finding that waves could inundate the Ahu Tongariki site, vital for tourism and Rapanui’s cultural identity.
Historically, Easter Island faced challenges from natural disasters, such as the 1960 tsunami. The study reflects a broader trend of cultural heritage sites worldwide increasingly at risk from climate change, with a UNESCO report indicating that many coastal sites are vulnerable to flooding. Potential protective measures include coastal enhancements and relocating monuments. Paoa advocates for proactive solutions to safeguard these cultural treasures before irreversible damage occurs.
Source link
