Motu Kau Kau
Motu Kao Kao (also: Motu Kaokao) is a pillar of the surf between Easter Island as the main island of the archipelago and the offshore island of Rano Kao . With a height of 20 m and a needle-like exterior, it is the most spectacular of the three motus off the coast - Motu Kao Kao, Motu Iti and Motu Nui. The three are likely the remains of parasitic volcanoes on Rano Kao Island .
So this pillar was not created by the collapse of a surf gate , but by the separation of a surf alley . As part of the Vogelmann cult, the surf pillar was passed by swimmers (so-called Hopu) on their way to Motu Nui. Anyone who was the first to bring back an undamaged sooty tern egg (Sterna fuscata) was declared a bird man for a year, presided over ritual sacrifices and enjoyed special privileges.
| Motu Kau Kau | ||
|---|---|---|
| height | 20 m | |
| location | Easter Island , Chile | |
| Coordinates | 27 ° 11 ′ 0 ″ S , 109 ° 26 ′ 0 ″ W | |
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| Type | extinct shield volcano | |
Individual evidence
- ↑ PE Baker et al: Petrology and Geochemistry of Easter Island in Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, No. 2, 1974
Web links
- Easter Island in the Global Volcanism Program of the Smithsonian Institution (English)