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The Late Quaternary vegetational and climatic history of Easter Island
Author(s) -
Flenley J. R.,
King A. Sarah M.,
Jackson Joan,
Chew C.,
Teller J. T.,
Prentice M. E.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
journal of quaternary science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.142
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1099-1417
pISSN - 0267-8179
DOI - 10.1002/jqs.3390060202
Subject(s) - quaternary , palynology , geology , pleistocene , volcano , archaeology , deforestation (computer science) , paleontology , pollen , megalith , flora (microbiology) , holocene , physical geography , geography , ecology , computer science , bacteria , biology , programming language
Easter Island occupies an exceptionally isolated position in the south Pacific Ocean. It is entirely volcanic, and is famous for its giant statues. Late Quaternary sediments have been investigated in three craters: Rano Raraku, Rano Aroi and Rano Kao, giving a continuous record over the past 30 Ka. Pollen records indicate that the island was formerly forested. Palynological and sedimentological evidence suggests a Late Pleistocene climate slightly cooler and drier than the present. Deforestation by people occurred mainly between 1200 and 800 yr BP. This may have led to an ecological disaster and to the decline of the megalithic civilization. The depauperation of the present native flora owes more to human activity than to isolation.