nazca under threat

The reason why the lines and geoglyphs have survived for so long is because of the site's stable climate with almost no rain. However as reported by UNESCO there is growing concern about the impact of climate change upon many world heritage sites. In Peru there are regional factors with deforestation and erosion blamed for mudslides and flash-floods in many areas. In 2000 unusually heavy rains triggered mudslides in the hills south of the drawings, causing damage to one of the minor lines and prompting one archaeologist to declare it "an important wake up call." Many experts suggest that the threat of extreme weather is not going to go away. "The lines themselves are superficial and could be washed away... they cannot resist heavy rain without being damaged.

The rise in international tourism has brought mixed blessings to many parts of the world. Of concern at Nazca is not the quantity of visitors, but the actions of a few. Because the surface is so fragile any marks made by the tyres of a vehicle, or even a footprint, will last as long as the lines themselves. Tourists are now kept off the main area and see the drawings from the 15 m viewing tower or from light aircraft.

These marks have been caused by vehicles, with tyre marks running across many drawings.

The Panamerica highway

The 15 m viewing tower erected

thanks to Maria Reiche's efforts to protect the lines

Light aircraft