[1] The discovery of the Caves of Nanumanga was made because of interest aroused by a local legend.

According to this legend, there existed "a large house under the sea".

The existence of this legend led to the scuba diving expedition in 1986, during which the caves were discovered.

[2] The caves are currently submerged underneath the ocean, highlighting the profound change in sea level over time.

Public controversies regarding sea level changes in contemporary Tuvalu are thus set against this background.