Wednesday, 22 April: Fossil roots on the former lakeshore of Rano Raraku
Studies of lake sediments and climate at Rano Raraku -- the crater
where nearly all the moai (statues) have been carved -- have suggested
that lake level was once higher (at the end of the last glacial
period). In the process of identifying soils to sample, we've stumbled
onto what seems to be previously overlooked evidence for a high stand
of lake level. In addition to large areas of "ironpan" development
consistent with a vegetated peaty lakeshore, we found large numbers of
fossil roots which we can use to partially identify the plants that
once occupied the lakeshore.
