How much damage did the Samoa tsunami cause?

How much damage did the Samoa tsunami cause?

The Prime Minister made his first address to the nation, after the tsunami, on 1 October. The Government of Samoa estimates the damage at US$147.25 million. On 2 October 2009, an estimated 3000 people were homeless and seeking refuge in shelters set up around the worst-affected villages.

What caused the 2009 Samoa tsunami?

The September 2009 Samoa tsunami was generated by an unusual type of earthquake that occurs near ocean trenches. Outer-rise earthquakes are caused by stresses in the subducting, oceanic plate induced by bending as the plate enters the trench.

When was the last tsunami in Samoa?

September 29, 2009
On September 29, 2009, two large earthquakes struck midway between Samoa and American Samoa, a U.S. territory. The earthquakes generated tsunami waves of up to 22 meters (72 feet) that engulfed the shores, killing at least 192 people—149 in Samoa, 34 in American Samoa, and 9 in Niuatoputapu, Tonga.

Has Rarotonga ever had a tsunami?

The tsunami which reached islands of the Samoan group at approximately 2035 hours local time, 22 May 1960, was undoubtedly one of the largest that has been recorded in the group. The characteristics of the tsunami observed at Rarotonga in the Cook Islands are also described.

What caused the Samoa tsunami in 2009?

But by early Tuesday morning, residents and tourists were struck a devastating blow when two massive earthquakes hit almost simultaneously 120 miles off the coast of the islands, triggering a tsunami that killed hundreds. On September 29, 2009, two large earthquakes struck midway between Samoa and American Samoa, a U.S. territory.

What caused the 2011 tsunami in Japan?

On March 11, 2011, a magnitude (Mw) 9.1 earthquake struck off the northeast coast of Honshu on the Japan Trench. A tsunami that was generated by the earthquake arrived at the coast within 30 minutes, overtopping seawalls and disabling three nuclear reactors within days.

Is American Samoa tsunami ready?

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. In 2012, American Samoa received TsunamiReady recognition from the NOAA National Weather Service.

How many people died in the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami?

The 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami event, often referred to as the Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami, resulted in over 18,000 dead, including several thousand victims who were never recovered.

author

Back to Top