On September 29, 2009, an M 8.1 earthquake in the Samoa Islands region of the South Pacific Ocean caused a tsunami that resulted in 100's of lost lives. [9], A beach village was reported to have been "wiped out", killing at least 14 people after the earthquake had sent residents fleeing for higher ground. The 2nd Sumatra earthquake caused an estimated 1,117 deaths to that island, while other majors events struck Italy or Costa Rica.Also notable, the 2009 Samoa earthquake and tsunami registered an 8.1 on the moment magnitude scale, the most powerful earthquake in 2009.The tsunami associated with the Samoa earthquake caused tsunami advisories … An Uncommon Event. Since the 2009 tsunami, Samoa has taken many preparedness measures: Established a 24/7 National Earthquake and Tsunami Warning Center and built an Emergency Operations Center to support disasters, Upgraded its warning dissemination systems to include island-wide sirens and SMS to essential village and national representatives, churches, schools, NGOs, and the private sector. The quake hit closest to Hihifo Tonga and Pago Pago. [32], The Prime Minister made his first address to the nation, after the tsunami, on 1 October. A tsunami watch was issued for islands farther from the epicenter, including Hawaii and Papua New Guinea, but not for California, USA. [47] The first tsunami wave at 11:10 am measured 25 cm (10 in), while the second recorded wave was measured at 35 cm (14 in) at 11:23 am[47] The waves gradually increased in size, with the fifth, and last wave, being recorded at 70 cm (28 in) tall at 12:03 pm. Scroll down for photos and video of the earthquake and tsunami damage. [47] The alert for the Marquesas Islands was extended 2:50 pm until the threat had passed. In 2017, UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) recognized Samoa’s first UNESCO IOC Tsunami Ready community, a pilot project that recognizes tsunami mitigation, preparedness, and response activities. After massive devastation occurred along the coast of … Prime Minister Malielegaoi lost two relatives in the tsunami, including the daughter of one of his nieces. Here are maps of the American Samoa earthquake and tsunami today September 29, 2009 near Hihifo Tonga and Pago Pago. Pacific Tsunami Warning System: A Half-Century of Protecting the Pacific 1965-2015. With over 30 deaths in the U.S. territory of American Samoa, the 2009 event caused the largest number of deaths in America due to a tsunami in the 21st Century. Explore content created by others. The tsunami in American Samoa has a rising death toll as new tsunami data comes in. The tsunami arrived 15 minutes after the initial earthquake and was followed by four successive 15- to 20-foot-high waves, some of which traveled as far as 1 mile inland. The United States said federal aid would be made available to combat the devastation. According to the December 15 U.S. Drought Monitor, moderate to exceptional drought covers 41.2% of the United States including Puerto Rico. This is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates in the Earth's lithosphere meet and earthquakes and volcanic activity are common. Honolulu: International Tsunami Information Center. While initial Tsunami reports […] With over 30 deaths in the U.S. territory of American Samoa, the 2009 event caused the largest number of deaths in America due to a tsunami in the 21st Century. UPDATE: PAGO PAGO, American Samoa - Officials in American Samoa say at least 14 people were killed when a tsunami swept ashore in the South Pacific country after a powerful earthquake hit nearby. These included EERI member and structural engineer Steven Bal-dridge, president of Baldridge & Associates Structural Engineering, and an International Tsunami Sur- vey … [14] Among the initial U.S. government response is a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) logistics team and staff from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Coast Guard, Federal Aviation Administration, and Department of Defense. By Tom Chivers 29 September 2009 • 23:36 pm [11], U.S. President Barack Obama declared a major disaster for its dependent territory, American Samoa, allowing federal funds to be used for rescues, life support, and public health and safety measures. With over 30 deaths in the U.S. territory of American Samoa, the 2009 event caused the largest number of deaths in America due to a tsunami in the 21st Century. [51] Air New Zealand arranged for larger Boeing 777 aircraft to carry in relief workers and evacuate tourists to Auckland, and fly the Samoan Prime Minister back to his country. [13] Electricity was also out on the islands of Ofu-Olosega, in the Manu'a Islands Group, and a government plane has been sent to assess damage on Ofu. On September 29, 2009, at 17:48 UTC (6:48 a.m. local time), a magnitude 8.1 earthquake struck midway between Samoa and American Samoa, a U.S. territory. [20] The hardest hit areas in Samoa appear to be Fagaloa Bay on the east coast of Upolu, Lalomanu on the south east coast, and along the rest of the southern coast of the island,[18] with one hospital in Apia reporting it had received 79 bodies. These include Coconuts Beach Resort[25] and Sinalei Reef Resort and Spa[26] in the village of Siumu. 2009 Samoa Tsunami DERYA I. DILMEN, 1,2 VASILY V. TITOV,1,2 and GERARD H. ROE 2 Abstract—On September 29, 2009, an Mw = 8.1 earthquake at 17:48 UTC in Tonga Trench generated a tsunami that caused heavy damage across Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga islands. Tutuila island, which is located 250 km from the earthquake epi-center, experienced tsunami flooding and strong currents on … 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. These were distributed within the islands by RNZAF Bell UH-1H helicopters. Earthquakes 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. If you do a news search for the Sept. 29, 2009 Samoa earthquake, about 10 hits will come up. Xinhua, [New Zealand to provide 2.9 mln USD extra aid to Samoa New Zealand to provide 2.9 mln USD extra aid to Samoa], The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "tvnz.co.nz-Search continues as death rises", "Samoa tsunami toll may exceed 100, hundreds injured", "Search for bodies continue, death toll rises in South Pacific | NATIONAL News", "Waves hit Tonga, damage but no casualties", "Tsunami toll expected to rise in Samoan islands", "American Samoa governor says tsunami death toll could rise", http://www.talanei.com/2017/04/07/commissioaing-date-for-satala-power-plant-may-25th/, "President Declares Major Disaster For Territory of American Samoa", "Federal Coordinating Officer Lands in American Samoa", "Hawaii Guard, Navy bound for American Samoa", "Ingraham Contributes to Navy's HADR mission", "At least seven dead after quake, tsunami hit Samoa", "Tsunami smashes Pacific islands, over 100 feared dead", "Searching ruins for reason to live after the tsunami", "Two Australians dead, grave fears for others as Samoan tsunami toll rises", "Residents flee tsunami after strong quake in Samoa", "Talofa Lava – Welcome to Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa", "Sa'Moana Resort, South Coast, Upolu Island", Quake triggers deadly tsunamis in Pacific, "Tsunami Sweeps Through Pago Pago;63 Dead", "Samoa's Prime Minister in grief as nation mourns", "Samoa: Samoa/Tonga: Tsunami OCHA Situation Report No. Leone a small village on a bay was particularly hard-hit. Deaths: 150+ 2008 Sichuan earthquake In Samoa, the death toll stands at 82, according to government minister Maulolo Tavita. [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). [58], A tsunami warning was initially issued for American Samoa, Samoa, Niue, Wallis and Futuna, Tokelau, the Cook Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati, the Kermadec Islands, Fiji, Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, New Zealand, French Polynesia, Palmyra Island, Vanuatu, Nauru, Marshall Islands, and Solomon Islands. Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi, and his Deputy Prime Minister Misa Telefoni Retzlaff were in Auckland, New Zealand, at the time of the earthquake. UPDATE – Here is an update and maps on the 7.9 earthquake and tsunami in Samoa today September 29, 2009. [47] Residents of the Society Islands, which include the tourist resort areas of Tahiti and Moorea, were advised to move above 5 m (16 ft) above sea level, for safety. It was the largest earthquake of 2009. At least 34 people have been killed and dozens more injured after a powerful earthquake triggered a tsunami that swept the Pacific islands of Samoa and American Samoa… 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. Earthquakes in 2009 resulted in 1,853 fatalities. [35] New Zealand's Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully visited Apia to co-ordinate New Zealand's emergency relief effort. [72] Warnings also remained in Tuvalu, one of the lowest lying countries in the world.[72]. It resulted in many deaths and left tousands of people homeless. [44], Other reports outlined coastal damage from a 13-foot (4.0 m) wave on the islands. The American Samoa Earthquake death roll comes now (1:52 PM PST) after initial reports of no injuries.The number of deaths is unknown. [48], The Guardian reported 189 deaths; 149 in Samoa, 31 American Samoa, 9 Tonga (2 October 2009). Previous message: [Vignet] Samoa Earthquake/Tsunami Next message: [Vignet] Samoa Earthquake/Tsunami Messages sorted by: The New Zealand Red Cross appeal raised donations amounting to almost NZ$3.5 million. 1:08pm - The confirmed number of deaths in Samoa following this morning's magnitude 8.3 earthquake and tsunami is expected to rise as rescue teams make their way to the worst affected areas. [31] Samoan officials confirmed the runway at Faleolo International Airport on Upolu was safe by early afternoon (30 September 2009). [9] The water flowed inland about 100 yd (100 m) before receding, leaving some cars stuck in the mud. According to the February 19 U.S. Drought Monitor, moderate to exceptional drought covers 13.1% of the United States. [47], High Commissioner Adolphe Colrat cancelled the tsunami red alert at 12:03 pm on Tuesday for all areas of French Polynesia except the Marquesas. Concern centered on the Marquesas Islands, the northernmost archipelago in French Polynesia. [56] On the morning of September 29, 2009, a large undersea earthquake near Samoa generated a destructive tsunami that killed more than 100 people, said news reports. [57], Other aid came from concerned individuals and groups throughout the world, namely New Zealand, Australia, the United States and Canada. [10], Confirmed death tolls rose to 22 people, with many people still missing in the villages of Leone and Pago Pago. The tsunami in American Samoa has a rising death toll as new tsunami data comes in. The island is isolated with a population of around 1,000 people. A tsunami triggered by a strong quake in the South Pacific has killed more than 100 people in several islands. 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