2009 Samoa / American Samoa Earthquake
Samoa Islands — September 29, 2009
The 2009 Samoa earthquake and tsunami struck early in the morning when most residents were asleep. Tsunami waves up to 14 meters devastated villages along the southern coasts of Samoa and American Samoa, and also struck the northern coast of Tonga.
Earthquake Facts
Magnitude
M8.1
Date
Sep 29, 2009
Depth
18 km
Deaths
192
Latitude
-15.489°
Longitude
-172.095°
Tsunami
Yes
Region
Samoa / American Samoa
Tectonic Cause
Occurred along the outer-rise region where the Pacific Plate bends downward before subducting beneath the Tonga Trench. Outer-rise earthquakes produce tsunamis because the seafloor deformation is relatively shallow.
Aftermath in Pictures
Photos from Wikimedia Commons — open licenses (CC / Public Domain)
Images sourced from Wikimedia Commons under open licenses. Attribution required where specified. Click any image to enlarge.
Related Earthquakes in Samoa / American Samoa
Sources & Further Reading
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