Geography of Samoa: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Samoa topography.png|thumb|300px|Topography of Samoa.]] | [[File:Samoa topography.png|thumb|300px|Topography of Samoa.]] | ||
[[File:South east coast Savai'i island - Samoa 2009.jpg|thumb|right|200px|South east coast of [[Savai'i]] island.]] | [[File:South east coast Savai'i island - Samoa 2009.jpg|thumb|right|200px|South east coast of [[Savai'i]] island.]] | ||
The Samoan archipelago is a chain of 16 islands and numerous seamounts covering {{convert|3,123|km2|0|abbr=on}} in the central [[Pacific Ocean|South Pacific]], south of the equator, about halfway between [[Hawaii]] and [[New Zealand]], forming part of [[Polynesia]] and of the wider region of [[Oceania]]. The islands are [[Savaiʻi]], [[Upolu]], [[Tutuila]], [[Wallis_(island)|’Uvea]], [[Taʻū]], [[Ofu-Olosega#Ofu|Ofu]], [[Olosega]], [[Apolima]], [[Manono Island|Manono]], [[Nuʻutele]], [[Niulakita]], [[Nuʻulua]], [[Namua]], [[Fanuatapu]], [[Rose Atoll]], [[Manono_Island#Neighbouring_islands|Nu'ulopa]], as well as the submerged [[Vailuluʻu]], [[Pasco banks]], and [[Alexa Bank]].<ref>{{Cite web |url= | The Samoan archipelago is a chain of 16 islands and numerous seamounts covering {{convert|3,123|km2|0|abbr=on}} in the central [[Pacific Ocean|South Pacific]], south of the equator, about halfway between [[Hawaii]] and [[New Zealand]], forming part of [[Polynesia]] and of the wider region of [[Oceania]]. The islands are [[Savaiʻi]], [[Upolu]], [[Tutuila]], [[Wallis_(island)|’Uvea]], [[Taʻū]], [[Ofu-Olosega#Ofu|Ofu]], [[Olosega]], [[Apolima]], [[Manono Island|Manono]], [[Nuʻutele]], [[Niulakita]], [[Nuʻulua]], [[Namua]], [[Fanuatapu]], [[Rose Atoll]], [[Manono_Island#Neighbouring_islands|Nu'ulopa]], as well as the submerged [[Vailuluʻu]], [[Pasco banks]], and [[Alexa Bank]].<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/dyb/dyb2009-2010/Table03.pdf |title= Demographic Yearbook—Table 3: Population by sex, rate of population increase, surface area and density |publisher= United Nations Statistics Division |year= 2010}}</ref> | ||
== Tectonics == | == Tectonics == | ||
The Samoan archipelago has many features that are consistent with a plume-driven [[Hotspot_(geology)|hotspot]] model, including the currently active submarine volcano [[Vailuluʻu]] that anchors the eastern extremity. However, the chain's proximity to the northern end of the [[Tonga trench]], and the presence of voluminous young volcanism on what should be the oldest (~5 my) western island [[Savaiʻi]] has induced controversy regarding a simple plume/hotspot model.<ref name="HartCoetzee">{{cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/222556459|last1=Hart|first1=S.R.|last2=Coetzee|first2=M|last3=Workman|first3=R|last4=Blusztajn|first4= Jerzy|title=Genesis of the Western Samoa seamount province: Age, geochemical fingerprint and tectonics|publisher=Earth and Planetary Science Letters|year=2004|page=38}}</ref> The Samoan archipelago was most likely created by the [[Pacific Plate|Pacific Tectonic Plate]] traveling over a [[Hotspot_(geology)|fixed hotspot]]. The [[Samoa hotspot]] trail is in part coincident with a large group of islands and seamounts {{convert|1700|km|0|abbr=on}} long, which were probably formed by the same hotspot, but also intersect with older seamounts along the [[hotspot highway]] left by the [[Macdonald hotspot|Macdonald]], [[Arago hotspot|Rurutu]], and [[Rarotonga hotspot|Rarotonga]] hotspots and feature substantial [[Post shield stage|postshield]] volcanism, probably owing to tectonic phenomena triggered by the subduction of the Pacific Plate under the [[Australian Plate]] at the nearby [[Tonga Trench]].<ref name="PriceJackson2017">{{cite journal |last1=Price |first1=Allison A. |last2=Jackson |first2=Matthew G. |last3=Blichert-Toft |first3=Janne |author3-link=Janne Blichert-Toft |last4=Kurz |first4=Mark D. |last5=Gill |first5=Jim |last6=Blusztajn |first6=Jerzy |last7=Jenner |first7=Frances |last8=Brens |first8=Raul |last9=Arculus |first9=Richard |title=Geodynamic implications for zonal and meridional isotopic patterns across the northern Lau and North Fiji Basins |journal=Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems |date=March 2017 |volume=18 |issue=3 |doi=10.1002/2016gc006651 |page=23 |language=en |issn=1525-2027|bibcode=2017GGG....18.1013P |hdl=1912/8979 |url=https://darchive.mblwhoilibrary.org/bitstream/1912/8979/1/Price_et_al-2017-Geochemistry%2c_Geophysics%2c_Geosystems.pdf |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name="Smith-Vaniz1987">{{cite journal |last1=Smith-Vaniz |first1=William F. |title=The Saber-Toothed Blennies, Tribe Nemophini (Pisces: Blenniidae): An Update |journal=Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia |date=1987 |volume=139 |issue=1 |page=5 |jstor=4064893 }}</ref><ref name=sch>{{cite web|url= | The Samoan archipelago has many features that are consistent with a plume-driven [[Hotspot_(geology)|hotspot]] model, including the currently active submarine volcano [[Vailuluʻu]] that anchors the eastern extremity. However, the chain's proximity to the northern end of the [[Tonga trench]], and the presence of voluminous young volcanism on what should be the oldest (~5 my) western island [[Savaiʻi]] has induced controversy regarding a simple plume/hotspot model.<ref name="HartCoetzee">{{cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/222556459|last1=Hart|first1=S.R.|last2=Coetzee|first2=M|last3=Workman|first3=R|last4=Blusztajn|first4= Jerzy|title=Genesis of the Western Samoa seamount province: Age, geochemical fingerprint and tectonics|publisher=Earth and Planetary Science Letters|year=2004|page=38}}</ref> The Samoan archipelago was most likely created by the [[Pacific Plate|Pacific Tectonic Plate]] traveling over a [[Hotspot_(geology)|fixed hotspot]]. The [[Samoa hotspot]] trail is in part coincident with a large group of islands and seamounts {{convert|1700|km|0|abbr=on}} long, which were probably formed by the same hotspot, but also intersect with older seamounts along the [[hotspot highway]] left by the [[Macdonald hotspot|Macdonald]], [[Arago hotspot|Rurutu]], and [[Rarotonga hotspot|Rarotonga]] hotspots and feature substantial [[Post shield stage|postshield]] volcanism, probably owing to tectonic phenomena triggered by the subduction of the Pacific Plate under the [[Australian Plate]] at the nearby [[Tonga Trench]].<ref name="PriceJackson2017">{{cite journal |last1=Price |first1=Allison A. |last2=Jackson |first2=Matthew G. |last3=Blichert-Toft |first3=Janne |author3-link=Janne Blichert-Toft |last4=Kurz |first4=Mark D. |last5=Gill |first5=Jim |last6=Blusztajn |first6=Jerzy |last7=Jenner |first7=Frances |last8=Brens |first8=Raul |last9=Arculus |first9=Richard |title=Geodynamic implications for zonal and meridional isotopic patterns across the northern Lau and North Fiji Basins |journal=Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems |date=March 2017 |volume=18 |issue=3 |doi=10.1002/2016gc006651 |page=23 |language=en |issn=1525-2027|bibcode=2017GGG....18.1013P |hdl=1912/8979 |url=https://darchive.mblwhoilibrary.org/bitstream/1912/8979/1/Price_et_al-2017-Geochemistry%2c_Geophysics%2c_Geosystems.pdf |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name="Smith-Vaniz1987">{{cite journal |last1=Smith-Vaniz |first1=William F. |title=The Saber-Toothed Blennies, Tribe Nemophini (Pisces: Blenniidae): An Update |journal=Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia |date=1987 |volume=139 |issue=1 |page=5 |jstor=4064893 }}</ref><ref name=sch>{{cite web|url=https://serc.carleton.edu/sp/erese/samoan-hotspot.html|work=Enduring Resources Earth Science Education|title=Hotspot Lesson: Samoan Hotspot|first=Jamie A.|last=Russell|access-date=2 December 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://oceandots.com/pacific/bankx/ |title=Samoan Hotspot Trail |access-date=2009-12-01 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223043232/http://oceandots.com/pacific/bankx/ |archive-date=December 23, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Bird|2003|loc=Tonga Plate (TO), Kermadec Plate (KE), and Niuafo’ou Plate (NI), p. 28}}</ref> | ||
[[Vailuluʻu]] is a [[volcano|volcanic]] [[seamount]] discovered in 1975. It rises from the sea floor to a depth of {{convert|593|m|ft|abbr=on}} and is located between [[Tau, American Samoa|Ta{{okina}}u]] and [[Rose Atoll|Rose]] islands at the eastern end of the [[Samoa hotspot]] chain. The [[basalt|basaltic]] seamount is considered to mark the current location of the Samoa hotspot. The summit of Vailulu{{okina}}u contains a {{convert|2000|m|ft|abbr=on}} wide, {{convert|400|m|ft|abbr=on}} deep oval-shaped [[caldera]]. Two principal rift zones extend east and west from the summit, parallel to the trend of the Samoan hotspot. A third less prominent rift extends southeast of the summit.<ref name="HartCoetzee" /> | [[Vailuluʻu]] is a [[volcano|volcanic]] [[seamount]] discovered in 1975. It rises from the sea floor to a depth of {{convert|593|m|ft|abbr=on}} and is located between [[Tau, American Samoa|Ta{{okina}}u]] and [[Rose Atoll|Rose]] islands at the eastern end of the [[Samoa hotspot]] chain. The [[basalt|basaltic]] seamount is considered to mark the current location of the Samoa hotspot. The summit of Vailulu{{okina}}u contains a {{convert|2000|m|ft|abbr=on}} wide, {{convert|400|m|ft|abbr=on}} deep oval-shaped [[caldera]]. Two principal rift zones extend east and west from the summit, parallel to the trend of the Samoan hotspot. A third less prominent rift extends southeast of the summit.<ref name="HartCoetzee" /> | ||
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The terrain of the larger islands consists of a narrow coastal plains with volcanic, rocky, rugged mountains in the interior. The Natural resources include hardwood forests, fish, and hydropower. The smaller islands are remnants of eroded [[volcano|volcanic]] [[tuff ring]]s, some are just a coral reef atop the eroded cone of a defunct volcano.<ref>[http://docs.google.com/gview?a=v&q=cache:gpcO-Z9aOyMJ:www.mnre.gov.ws/documents/projects/environment/terrestrial/aleipata/DRAFT%2520PROJECT%2520PLAN%2520April%25202005-%2520RATS%2520-%25202.pdf+Nu'ulua+island&hl=en&gl=nz&sig=AFQjCNFlp8Ezrm5yGot6Z0W5IOtdCicV7A] Restoration of Nu'utele and Nu'ulua Islands, Samoa by David J. Butler, April 2005, SPREP. Retrieved 25 October 2009</ref> | The terrain of the larger islands consists of a narrow coastal plains with volcanic, rocky, rugged mountains in the interior. The Natural resources include hardwood forests, fish, and hydropower. The smaller islands are remnants of eroded [[volcano|volcanic]] [[tuff ring]]s, some are just a coral reef atop the eroded cone of a defunct volcano.<ref>[http://docs.google.com/gview?a=v&q=cache:gpcO-Z9aOyMJ:www.mnre.gov.ws/documents/projects/environment/terrestrial/aleipata/DRAFT%2520PROJECT%2520PLAN%2520April%25202005-%2520RATS%2520-%25202.pdf+Nu'ulua+island&hl=en&gl=nz&sig=AFQjCNFlp8Ezrm5yGot6Z0W5IOtdCicV7A] Restoration of Nu'utele and Nu'ulua Islands, Samoa by David J. Butler, April 2005, SPREP. Retrieved 25 October 2009</ref> | ||
Rose Atoll is the easternmost point of the archipelago and the [[Extreme points of the United States|southernmost point of the United States]].<ref name="NOAA_ASamoa">{{cite web|url= | Rose Atoll is the easternmost point of the archipelago and the [[Extreme points of the United States|southernmost point of the United States]].<ref name="NOAA_ASamoa">{{cite web|url=https://www.fpir.noaa.gov/MNM/mnm_roseatoll.html|title=Rose Atoll Marine National Monument|date=July 2022 }}</ref> American Samoa is home to the [[National Park of American Samoa]]. | ||
The highest mountains are: [[Silisili|Mt Silisili]] ([[Savaiʻi]]) at {{convert|1858|m|0|abbr=on}}, [[Mount Fito]] ([[Upolu]]) at {{convert|1,113|m|0|abbr=on}}, [[Lata Mountain]] ([[Taʻū]]), {{cvt|3170|ft}}; [[Matafao Peak]] ([[Tutuila]]) at {{cvt|2141|ft}}, Piumafua ([[Olosega]]) at {{cvt|2095|ft}}, and Tumutumu ([[Ofu-Olosega|Ofu]]) at {{cvt|1621|ft}}. [[Mount Pioa]] ([[Tutuila]]), nicknamed the Rainmaker, is {{cvt|1718|ft}}.<ref>Sunia, Fofo I.F. (2009). ''A History of American Samoa''. Amerika Samoa Humanities Council. Page 355. {{ISBN|9781573062992}}.</ref> | The highest mountains are: [[Silisili|Mt Silisili]] ([[Savaiʻi]]) at {{convert|1858|m|0|abbr=on}}, [[Mount Fito]] ([[Upolu]]) at {{convert|1,113|m|0|abbr=on}}, [[Lata Mountain]] ([[Taʻū]]), {{cvt|3170|ft}}; [[Matafao Peak]] ([[Tutuila]]) at {{cvt|2141|ft}}, Piumafua ([[Olosega]]) at {{cvt|2095|ft}}, and Tumutumu ([[Ofu-Olosega|Ofu]]) at {{cvt|1621|ft}}. [[Mount Pioa]] ([[Tutuila]]), nicknamed the Rainmaker, is {{cvt|1718|ft}}.<ref>Sunia, Fofo I.F. (2009). ''A History of American Samoa''. Amerika Samoa Humanities Council. Page 355. {{ISBN|9781573062992}}.</ref> | ||
Latest revision as of 18:31, 10 June 2025
The Samoan archipelago is a chain of 16 islands and numerous seamounts covering Script error: No such module "convert". in the central South Pacific, south of the equator, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand, forming part of Polynesia and of the wider region of Oceania. The islands are Savaiʻi, Upolu, Tutuila, ’Uvea, Taʻū, Ofu, Olosega, Apolima, Manono, Nuʻutele, Niulakita, Nuʻulua, Namua, Fanuatapu, Rose Atoll, Nu'ulopa, as well as the submerged Vailuluʻu, Pasco banks, and Alexa Bank.[1]
Tectonics
The Samoan archipelago has many features that are consistent with a plume-driven hotspot model, including the currently active submarine volcano Vailuluʻu that anchors the eastern extremity. However, the chain's proximity to the northern end of the Tonga trench, and the presence of voluminous young volcanism on what should be the oldest (~5 my) western island Savaiʻi has induced controversy regarding a simple plume/hotspot model.[2] The Samoan archipelago was most likely created by the Pacific Tectonic Plate traveling over a fixed hotspot. The Samoa hotspot trail is in part coincident with a large group of islands and seamounts Script error: No such module "convert". long, which were probably formed by the same hotspot, but also intersect with older seamounts along the hotspot highway left by the Macdonald, Rurutu, and Rarotonga hotspots and feature substantial postshield volcanism, probably owing to tectonic phenomena triggered by the subduction of the Pacific Plate under the Australian Plate at the nearby Tonga Trench.[3][4][5][6][7]
Vailuluʻu is a volcanic seamount discovered in 1975. It rises from the sea floor to a depth of Script error: No such module "convert". and is located between Taʻu and Rose islands at the eastern end of the Samoa hotspot chain. The basaltic seamount is considered to mark the current location of the Samoa hotspot. The summit of Vailuluʻu contains a Script error: No such module "convert". wide, Script error: No such module "convert". deep oval-shaped caldera. Two principal rift zones extend east and west from the summit, parallel to the trend of the Samoan hotspot. A third less prominent rift extends southeast of the summit.[2]
Rose Atoll and Malulu seamount are likely remnants of where the path of either the Macdonald or Rarotonga hotspots crossed the path of the Samoa hotspot.[8][9][10] Some seamounts in western Samoa ("Samoan Seamounts"[11]), which were emplaced together with Tuvalu between 63 and 42 million years ago are likely remnants of the Rurutu hotspot.[12] These are also known as the "interloper seamounts".[13] Other undated seamounts in Samoa have been linked to the Rurutu hotspot on the basis of geochemical evidence.[14]
Islands of the Samoan archipelago
Climate
Script error: No such module "labelled list hatnote". Due to its positioning in the South Pacific Ocean, the Samoan archipelago is frequently hit by tropical cyclones between November and April. Samoa has a trade-wind tropical rainforest climate (Köppen Af), with an average annual temperature of Script error: No such module "convert".. The wettest period occurs from November to April, although heavy rain may fall in any month.[23]
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Terrain
The terrain of the larger islands consists of a narrow coastal plains with volcanic, rocky, rugged mountains in the interior. The Natural resources include hardwood forests, fish, and hydropower. The smaller islands are remnants of eroded volcanic tuff rings, some are just a coral reef atop the eroded cone of a defunct volcano.[24]
Rose Atoll is the easternmost point of the archipelago and the southernmost point of the United States.[25] American Samoa is home to the National Park of American Samoa.
The highest mountains are: Mt Silisili (Savaiʻi) at Script error: No such module "convert"., Mount Fito (Upolu) at Script error: No such module "convert"., Lata Mountain (Taʻū), Template:Cvt; Matafao Peak (Tutuila) at Template:Cvt, Piumafua (Olosega) at Template:Cvt, and Tumutumu (Ofu) at Template:Cvt. Mount Pioa (Tutuila), nicknamed the Rainmaker, is Template:Cvt.[26] Template:Rp American Samoa is also home to some of the world's highest sea cliffs at Template:Cvt.[27]
References
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- ↑ [1] Restoration of Nu'utele and Nu'ulua Islands, Samoa by David J. Butler, April 2005, SPREP. Retrieved 25 October 2009
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Sunia, Fofo I.F. (2009). A History of American Samoa. Amerika Samoa Humanities Council. Page 355. Template:ISBN.
- ↑ Harris, Ann G. and Esther Tuttle (2004). Geology of National Parks. Kendall Hunt. p. 603. Template:ISBN.
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Sources
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See also
- List of cities, towns and villages in Samoa
- Districts of Samoa
- Samoan Islands
- Geography of American Samoa
Template:Islands of Samoa Template:Samoa topics Script error: No such module "Navbox".