Samoa technical report - Review of volcanic hazard maps for Savai'i and Upolu

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dc.contributor.authorCronin, Shane J.
dc.contributor.authorBonte-Grapentin, Michael
dc.contributor.authorNemeth, Karoly
dc.date.accessioned2008-02-01T01:02:19Z
dc.date.accessioned2016-03-06T22:34:36Z
dc.date.accessioned2023-07-23T20:51:56Z
dc.date.available2008-02-01T01:02:19Z
dc.date.available2016-03-06T22:34:36Z
dc.date.available2023-07-23T20:51:56Z
dc.date.issued2006-07
dc.description.abstractBoth main islands of Samoa, Savai'i and Upolu need to be considered as potentially volcanically active. The most recent eruptions in historic times happened on Savai'i in 1905-1911, 1902 and 1760 (estimated). Though detailed volcanic studies and dating of volcanic events are very limited there is evidence for repeated volcanic activity on both islands since the time of human occupation of the islands marked by prominent and fresh appearance of tuff cones as Tafua (= fire mountain) Savai'i, the island of Apolima, Tafua Upolu and offshore Cape Tapaga. This report examines the volcanic risks for both islands and defines for disaster management considerations potential eruption scenarios based on eyewitness accounts of previous eruptions, geological field evidence, remote sensing information and experiences from similar volcanoes. A detailed timeline of events, potential impacts and required emergency response activities are listed for the five potential eruption types (1) long-term lava field (2) short-term spatter-cone (3) explosive phreatomagmatic (4) explosive scoria-cone and (5) submarine flank collapse. Given the nature of volcanism in Samoa with hundreds of individual "one-off" volcanoes scattered along zones of structural weakness within the Savai'i - Upolu Platform - predicting the exact location of future eruption centres is impossible. At the current stage of knowledge a presentation of a volcanic hazard map is inadequate and would require additional baseline studies to statistically define recurrence intervals and areas of higher volcanic activity. Taking these limitations into account, maps showing the relative potential for new eruption vents on Upolu and Savai'i are derived from geomorphologic features. To improve our understanding and management of the volcanic risks of Samoa, suggestions for achievable future work are listed and prioritised. These recommendations include geological/volcanological baseline studies (e.g. dating/detailed analyses of past events, rock chemistry, volcano structure); installation of early warning and monitoring network (e.g. permanent GPS, seismometers); and disaster preparedness and volcanic crisis response planning.en_US
dc.identifier.citationCronin, S., Bonte-Grapentin, M. & Nemeth, K. (2006). Samoa technical report - Review of volcanic hazard maps for Savai'i and Upolu. EU-SOPAC Project Report 59.
dc.identifier.harvestedMassey_Dark
dc.identifier.harvestedMassey_Dark
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10179/556
dc.publisherSouth Pacific Applied Geoscience Commissionen_US
dc.relation.ispartofseriesEU-SOPAC Project Reporten_US
dc.relation.ispartofseries59en_US
dc.subjectVolcanic hazarden_US
dc.subjectScoria coneen_US
dc.subjectTuff ringen_US
dc.subjectSurtseyanen_US
dc.subjectPahoehoeen_US
dc.subjectRiften_US
dc.subject.otherFields of Research::260000 Earth Sciences::260100 Geology::260103 Vulcanologyen_US
dc.titleSamoa technical report - Review of volcanic hazard maps for Savai'i and Upoluen_US
dc.typeOtheren_US
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