The Nazca lines in Peru sit high and dry in the Nazca desert, and have been there since as early as 200 AD. These weird geoglyphs can only be seen from the air, and show images of huge animals – monkeys, spiders, llamas and other creatures.

But after recent heavy rains, the Nazca lines have been damaged. Water washed off the Pan-American highway and pushed sand and clay onto the geoglyphs.

This story has come from a scientist at Peru’s National Cultural Institute who spoke to AP and has picked up lots of coverage, although all seem to come from the same source. (MSNBC, Telegraph, Physorg.) Details of remedial action for the UNESCO world heritage site aren’t clear. The scientist, Mario Olaechea, says this is the first case of rain damage to the Nazca lines.

Image: National Cultural Institute of Peru