Samoa Islands Tsunami on Sep. 29, 2009 We have simulated the tsunami generated from the the Samoa earthquake (15.509 S, 172.034 W, Mw = 8.0 at 17:48:10 UTC according to USGS) on September 29, 2009… Though this tsunami was not a Pacific-wide hazard, it was very destructive near the earthquake and killed 192 people in Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga. [18] Journalist Cherelle Jackson reported that the city quickly emptied in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami, "All the schools, workplaces everyone has walked up – it's like a ghost town. [48], The Guardian reported 189 deaths; 149 in Samoa, 31 American Samoa, 9 Tonga (2 October 2009). Scores are killed as tsunami hits Samoa Islands. The New Zealand helicopter carrying ship HMNZS Canterbury was sent to Samoa (also offloading aid and personnel in Tonga). The American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga Islands had suffered serious tsunami damages and more. [10], Confirmed death tolls rose to 22 people, with many people still missing in the villages of Leone and Pago Pago. 2009 Samoa earthquake and tsunami Tonga Trench south of the Samoa Islands and north of New Zealand. Concern centered on the Marquesas Islands, the northernmost archipelago in French Polynesia. "So much has gone. The United States said federal aid would be made available to combat the devastation. [72], A tsunami warning remained in effect for the Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia, as five main waves were expected to strike that archipelago. A further 7 RNZAF and 2 Royal Australian Air Force Hercules flights were made, and a RAAF C-17 Globemaster also provided airlift support to ferry relief supplies. The 2009 Samoa earthquake and tsunami took place on 29 September 2009 in the southern Pacific Ocean adjacent to the Kermadec-Tonga subduction zone. REUTERS/Tim Wimborne [29] The cliffs above Lalomanu were scoured out to a height of 10–15 m (33–49 ft).[30]. SYDNEY, Australia — A powerful tsunami generated by an undersea earthquake on Tuesday has killed at least 89 people and wiped out several villages on … Prior to the 2009 tsunami, American Samoa had one community hospital, one pharmacy, few physicians and clinicians, limited commercial air service, and limited support infrastructure; however, the islands The deadly 2009 tsunami was triggered by at least two separate earthquakes occurring within 2–3 minutes of each other near the Tonga Trench, one of the most seismically active areas in the world. [dead link][12] Tulafono was monitoring events in American Samoa, but was having difficulties reaching the territory because of communications failures. According to the June 20 U.S. Drought Monitor, moderate to extreme drought covers 7.0% of the contiguous U.S. Since the earthquakes occurred so close in time, scientists have not been able to distinguish which earthquake occurred first, or which caused a bigger tsunami. In this region, the Pacific plate subducts westward beneath the Australia plate at the Tonga Trench. On an idyllic Monday night in 2009, the palm-lined coasts of the American Samoa, Samoa, and Tonga Islands looked peaceful and serene. Prior to the tsunami in 2009, Samoa also hosted two international meetings that brought attention to the local hazardous conditions that is common to many Southwest Pacific island nations. A mother at the Taufua Beach Fales in Lalomanu watched her three young children swept away by the tsunami. The wave, which also hit American Samoa and northern Tonga, was generated by a massive 8.1 magnitude undersea earthquake which struck at 6.48am local time and was felt widely in Samoa. (2009, September 29). [9] Damage to the National Park's natural reserves and the destruction of its visitor center and main offices have been reported, while only 20% of the park's 40 to 50 employees and volunteers had been found. An effective tsunami warning system relies on the free and open exchange and long-term management of global data and science products to mitigate, model, and forecast tsunamis. The tsunami was generated by a magnitude 8.1 earthquake that occurred about 190 km southwest of American Samoa at 6:48 a.m. Samoa Standard Time. "[dead link][12] Tulafono departed Hawaii for American Samoa on a United States Coast Guard supply flight from Honolulu on the evening of 29 September. [46], French Polynesia escaped much of the damage inflicted against other Polynesian countries and territories by the earthquake. [36], The Samoa government and the people of Samoa held a national funeral at Apia Park for tsunami victims on 8 October 2009 (Samoa local time). There were no reports of high waves from Vanuatu, Kiribati, New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands. [11] The Satala electrical plant may be out of service for a month or more until repairs can be made, with the American Samoa Power Authority (ASPA) stating that power will be out indefinitely. Reference: Kong, L., P. Dunbar, and N. Arcos (2015). 5 | ReliefWeb", "Up to six NZers feared dead in tsunami – National – NZ Herald News", "Tonga Airports Limited – Airport Info > Niuatoputapu – Mata'aho Airport", "Teams arrive on Tonga's Niuatoputapu at epicentre", "The death toll on a remote Tongan island has risen to nine", "Teams reach Tongan victims – Samoa tsunami – NZ Herald News", "Service held in Tonga for tsunami victims", "Seven confirmed dead from tsunami in Tonga", "Papeete measures 5 small waves during tsunami red alert", "French Polynesia will help islands hit by tsunami", "Surfer survived Samoa tsunami by riding out the waves", "PM John Key to view Samoan damage | Stuff.co.nz", "Tsunami toll could have been worse: Samoan PM – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)", "EC announces aid for Samoan tsunami victims – Foreign", "NZ Red Cross Aid Worker And Equipment to Samoa", "LDS Church continues Samoan relief efforts | Deseret News", "National Next of Kin Registry (NOKR) offers assistance", "ADRA NZ » Blog Archive » Samoa Disaster: ADRA Visits Villages, Meets Survivors", "Samoa appeal closes topping $3.5 millon", "Oxfam sets up rapid response emergency fund for Samoa", "Tsunami Claims Lives in Samoa, Warning Called Off for Most Countries in Region", "TSUNAMI BULLETIN NUMBER 001 – PACIFIC TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER/NOAA/NWS – ISSUED AT 1804Z SEP 29, 2009", "Quake, tsunami near American Samoa kills at least 22", "Highest tides expected near Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo as tsunami advisory prompts L.A. beach closures", "Earthquake List for Map of S Pacific Region", A family devastated by the tsunami – full interview, Tsunami stories of luck and sorrow at airport, Tsunami Animation: Samoan Islands, 29 September 2009, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2009_Samoa_earthquake_and_tsunami&oldid=969179663, Articles with dead external links from June 2016, Articles with dead external links from June 2017, Articles with permanently dead external links, Articles with dead external links from July 2010, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2017, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Aid funds are also being organised by the. mceer.buffalo.edu Massive earthquake (8.0 magnitude) creates tsunami in Samoa; get the latest news from the BBC, New York Times, USGS, & other authorities. The 2009 Samoa tsunami was caused by three earthquakes occurring within minutes of each other. [21], A Red Cross worker reported to Radio New Zealand that waves 10 feet (3 m) high had flattened beachside resorts on Upolu,[28] and that residents told him the tourist zone of Lalomanu had been crushed by a wall of water about 20–30 ft (6.1–9.1 m) high. [49], Following the 1st anniversary of February 2011 earthquake memorial in Christchurch, a memorial dedicated to the tsunami victims was erected in the village of Leone American Samoa on 25 February 2012. [16][17], Samoa evacuated people from the entire city of Apia, the country's capital city on the island of Upolu and moving thousands of residents to higher ground. "[18], Twenty villages on Upolu south side were reportedly destroyed, including Lepa, the home of Samoa's Prime Minister[19] Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi. [9] Other media had earlier reported 10 people killed in Tonga. [46] Tonga's acting Prime Minister Lord Tuita said the government is sending a second plane to Niuatoputapu, but that communication links have been damaged. An RNZAF C-130 Hercules with medical staff and supplies, makeshift morgues, stretchers, tents and food was sent on the 30th. The island is isolated with a population of around 1,000 people. [32], The Prime Minister made his first address to the nation, after the tsunami, on 1 October. Also, basic needs and basic commodities, including electrical generators, medical supplies, and pharmaceutical drugs were sent out, and multiple planes are being prepared for more cargo and personnel, including FEMA, HHS, and Coast Guard staff and experts from the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Red Cross. [47] The alert for the Marquesas Islands was extended 2:50 pm until the threat had passed. References & Resources Foley, M. 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