Ahu Tongariki In 1960, an earthquake in Chile triggered a tidal wave, which hit the coast of Easter Island at Tongariki. The tidal wave sent the 15 Tongariki moai—some of which weigh 30 tons ...

"On a crisp September morning, I rushed out to Ahu Tongariki near Rano Raraku in order to see the sun rise over the 15 moai." Jon Canfield Easter Island Moai. Courtesy of Flickr user Ndecam ...

Like all the ahu on the island, the moai were toppled from their platform during the tribal wars of the 17th century. Then a tsunami hit in 1960, scattering the fallen moai even further.

Ahu Tongariki In 1960, an earthquake in Chile triggered a tidal wave, which hit the coast of Easter Island at Tongariki. The tidal wave sent the 15 Tongariki moai—some of which weigh 30 tons ...