Rapa Nui increased water levelsCyArk
Rising Sea Levels
Within the past 100 years, sea level in the Pacific has risen several mm per year. One of the dominant effects of climate change in the ocean surrounding Rapa Nui is an increase in swells in the sea.
Rapa Nui increased wave actionCyArk
Coastal Erosion
The swells cause greater wave heights which erode the coast of the island by undercutting, eating away at the rocks and sediments.
Rapa Nui DegradationCyArk
Cliff Degradation
As the rocks fall into the ocean, the waves wash away part of the shore, including archaeological remains.
Panoramic View of the Crematorio in Rapa Nui (2019-01) by CyArkCyArk
Global sea level rise, coupled with increased storminess, increases chances of inundation by the sea, which means several of the most iconic sites are at risk of being destroyed.
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Find out more about ICOMOS' efforts to increase engagement of cultural heritage in climate action here.
Professor Jane Downes, ICOMOS Working Group on Cultural Heritage and Climate Change, and Archaeology Institute Director, University of the Highlands and Islands UK.
