Final answer:
Anomalously colder temperatures in the Pacific played a major role in the collapse of the Rapanui society in the 1700s.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anomalously colder temperatures in the Pacific played a major role in the population collapse of the Rapanui society in the 1700s. During this time, the Rapanui people, who inhabited Easter Island, relied heavily on the island's natural resources. The deforestation of the island for homes, fires, and canoes eventually led to a scarcity of wood for boats, trapping the Rapanui people on the island. In addition to the environmental factors, invasions by Europeans and South Americans, diseases, and competition for resources also contributed to the collapse of the Rapanui society.