Easter Island’s mysterious moai, giant head statues carved out of volcanic rock, are in danger of being destroyed by years of tropical rains and wind as well as careless humans. Efforts are ongoing to study and preserve the moai, whose mystery draws tourists to the world’s most remote inhabited island.
Photos: Easter Island
A view of a moai statue near the town of Hanga Roa on Easter Island, 2,486 miles west of Santiago, Chile. Easter Island’s mysterious moai, giant head statues carved out of volcanic rock, are in danger of being destroyed by years of tropical rains and wind as well as careless humans and farms animals. Experts have called on the international community to commit funds to preserve the monoliths, whose mystery draws tourists to the world’s most remote inhabited island. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)
Chicago Tribune