How big was the Samoan tsunami?

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.

Did Samoa get hit by tsunami?

Countries affected by the tsunami, in the areas that were hit are American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga (Niuatoputapu) where more than 189 people were killed, especially children, most of them in Samoa….2009 Samoa earthquake and tsunami.

UTC time 2009-09-29 17:48:10
Tsunami Yes
Casualties at least 189 fatalities hundreds injured

What caused the tsunami in Samoa 2009?

The tsunami that was triggered by a magnitude 8.1 earthquake on September 29, 2009, caused significant damage and loss of life on Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga.

Could a tsunami hit the US?

Large tsunamis have occurred in the United States and will undoubtedly occur again. Significant earthquakes around the Pacific rim have generated tsunamis that struck Hawaii, Alaska, and the U.S. west coast.

How many people died in American Samoa from the tsunami?

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. The devastation extended beyond human casualties with houses destroyed, cars swept out to sea and some villages being virtually annihilated.

When did the tsunami hit American Samoa?

This tsunami was generated by an 8.1 magnitude earthquake near the Samoan Islands on September 29, 2009. Though this tsunami was not a Pacific-wide hazard, it was very destructive near the earthquake and killed 192 people in Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga.

What are the effects of the tsunami in Samoa?

flow depths (the height above ground reached by water at various points on shore,commonly indicated by water stains on walls or debris in trees),

  • flow directions,
  • inundation distances (horizontal distances between the shoreline and the farthest points inland reached by the water),and
  • Did tsunami warning reach Samoa on time?

    The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii issued its first alert 18 minutes after Tuesday’s quake. By that time the first tidal wave had crashed into villages and resorts in Samoa and American Samoa. Those who survived had already fled to higher land, rattled by powerful earth tremors lasting several minutes.