Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Location of earthquake near subduction zone and on oceanic plate

By Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Line drawing of cross-section of oceanic crust showing the location and kind of earthquake that may or may not cause a tsunami.
Original Thumbnail Medium

Detailed Description

The 2009 Samoa earthquake and tsunami resulted primarily from slip on a normal fault in the “outer rise,” a bulge in the seafloor caused by bending of the oceanic plate.

Sources/Usage

Public Domain.