The earthquake that struck Chile on Feb. 27 has had far-reaching impact, not only through temblors but also through tsunamis and the limitation of supplies to places such as Easter Island. More some 2,000 miles away from Chile, and an almost equal distance from Tahiti, Easter Island is one of the most remote locations humanly populated on earth.

Photo by Keith Atkinson

Silhouetted in dusk, a stone moai carved by a previous civilization is one of many restored by archaeologists in recent years on enigmatic and remote Easter Island, located in the South Pacific more than 2,000 miles from any center of population.

Known as "Rapa Nui" and "Isla de Pascua" and annexed by Chile in 1888, Easter Island is part of the Chile Santiago North Mission. Elder Donald Runquist, and his wife, Sister Karren Runquist — from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada — are proselytizing missionaries on Easter Island, where he serves also as branch president.

"As the branch president, one of the first things I did was to make sure that all the members were fine," Elder Runquist told the Church News in an e-mail.

"We did not even feel the earthquake here but were warned of a possible tsunami. Our members here said that there was no problem, as a wave coming from the east would hit the east side of the island, which is uninhabited except for a few farms. The wave did come but was only about 5 feet high and only threw big rocks up unto the coast road, which had to be cleared. No damage or flooding occurred.

"Our biggest concern was our main source of food and other essentials come from Santiago by plane and all the plane flights were canceled for at least three to four days. There wasn't even a concern about that as the island can exist as self-sufficient for a longer period of time. We feel blessed by the Lord that this remote island seems to be a very protected one."

Elder Runquist said that one of the local residents told him of a legend that when the island was formed it was blessed to be a very protected place.

"The legend is definitely holding true to form as our small little bit of heaven has been blessed greatly in a time when those to the east in Chile are experiencing one of the worst disasters the country has ever experienced," Elder Runquist said.

"We were fortunate not to require any extra supplies and five days after the earthquake flights resumed to the island, sometimes four per day, to bring depleted food supplies to the island. This experience has made the members here much more aware of the need for food storage and an emergency kit which they now all have made for themselves and their families."