Photo and Video Chronology – American Samoa – August 2023

By Hawaiian Volcano Observatory August 15, 2023

This month, USGS staff are in American Samoa to do outreach, strengthen relationships with partners, and maintain the monitoring network.

August 9, 2023 — Tutuila

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A view of Rainmaker Mountain to the east of Pago Pago harbor on Tutuila Island, American Samoa. Rainmaker Mountain was mapped in the 1940s as a trachyte plug by geologist Harold Stearns. Dense jungle, the highest annual rainfall in American Samoa, and its steep cliffs make it a formidable mountain to summit. USGS photo by D. Downs.

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A view to the west across Pago Pago harbor at Matafao Peak on Tutuila Island, American Samoa. Matafao Peak is the highest part of Tutuila Island at an elevation of 2,142 feet (653 meters) above sea level. It is part of the Matafao Peak National Natural Landmark. USGS photo by D. Downs.

August 7, 2023 — Ofu-Olosega and Ta‘ū Island

Color photograph of island and ocean — A view of the northwest side of Taʻū Island in American Samoa. This island is a shield volcano with small scoria cones on its upper flanks and tuff cones at sea level. The history of this volcano is currently being studied to better understand the eruptions that built it. The light brown material in the foreground at sea level is part of a tuff cone at Faleāsao. USGS photo by D. Downs.

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A view of the southeast side of Olosega Island (foreground), with Ofu Island visible in the background. These volcanoes have steep cliffs and are separated by a 50-foot (15 meter) channel. The steep cliff in the photo is a dike sticking out into the ocean that has been more resistant to weathering than surrounding lava flows. USGS photo by D. Downs.

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Early morning photo of the three islands that make up the Manuʻa Islands in American Samoa. Ofu Island is in the foreground, Olosega Island in the middle ground, and Taʻū Island is in the background. Ofu-Olosega islands and Taʻū Island are the tops of volcanoes, most of which are under the ocean surface. USGS photo by D. Downs.

August 5, 2023 — Tutuila

Color photograph of coast — A view looking at the basalt lava flows that make cliffs along the southwestern part of Tutuila Island, American Samoa. These flows are part of the Leone volcanic series and form the flattest part of Tutuila Island, where the airport and population center of Tafuna are located. USGS photo by D. Downs.

August 4, 2023 — Tutuila

Color photograph of cliffs and ocean — 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.