August 4, 2023 — Eastern end of Tutuila and Aunuʻu islands in American Samoa

The view looks south along the basalt cliffs and beaches at Tula point on the eastern end of Tutuila Island, American Samoa. Tutuila Island is a shield volcano, formed by basalt flows that are 1-1.5 million years old. The island in the background is Aunuʻu, which is a tuff cone that is part of Tutuila Island's volcano, and current geologic investigations are underway to better understand when and how it formed. USGS photo by D. Downs.