Lavafield

Volcanic activity in Samoa

Above a settlement right on top of the 1911 lavaflow on Savai'i.

The most recent volcano eruption filled the lagoon with lava and forced a village to move to Upolu where they were given land to set up a new village, Sa'anapu.

There is no active volcano in Samoa at the moment but a new eruption is likely within 200 years. However, the eruptions in Samoa are usually not associated with violent explosions but rather with a easy flowing lava that has formed the long slopes of Savai'i island. Nevertheless, volcano eruptions may be very devastating for people as well as the natural environment. Many of the older volcano cones, however, may serve as refugias for wildlife during episodes with tropical cyclones. Several volcano cones on Savai'i are accessible by foot. The Tafua Rain Forest Reserve on Savai'i is located around an old volcano cone. The rim of this volcano cone serves as a natural canopy walkway as you can look out over the forest canopy inside the crater.

If you want to know more about the natural history and geology of the Samoan islands, contact Safua Tours on Savai'i: safuahotel@lesamoa.net 

Phone: (685)-51271, Fax: (685)-51272.

More lavaflow: click on pictures