Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Images

Images of Tutuila Island in American Samoa. 

Color photograph of trees on island
August 9, 2023 — View of Matafao Peak from across Pago Pago harbor, Tutuila Island, American Samoa
August 9, 2023 — View of Matafao Peak from across Pago Pago harbor, Tutuila Island, American Samoa
August 9, 2023 — View of Matafao Peak from across Pago Pago harbor, Tutuila Island, American Samoa

A view to the west across Pago Pago harbor at Matafao Peak on Tutuila Island, American Samoa. Matafao Peak is the highest part of Tutuila Island at an elevation of 2,142 feet (653 meters) above sea level. It is part of the Matafao Peak National Natural Landmark. USGS photo by D. Downs.

A view to the west across Pago Pago harbor at Matafao Peak on Tutuila Island, American Samoa. Matafao Peak is the highest part of Tutuila Island at an elevation of 2,142 feet (653 meters) above sea level. It is part of the Matafao Peak National Natural Landmark. USGS photo by D. Downs.

Color photograph of vegetated mountain
August 9, 2023 — View of Rainmaker Mountain near Pago Pago harbor, American Samoa
August 9, 2023 — View of Rainmaker Mountain near Pago Pago harbor, American Samoa
August 9, 2023 — View of Rainmaker Mountain near Pago Pago harbor, American Samoa

A view of Rainmaker Mountain to the east of Pago Pago harbor on Tutuila Island, American Samoa. Rainmaker Mountain was mapped in the 1940s as a trachyte plug by geologist Harold Stearns. Dense jungle, the highest annual rainfall in American Samoa, and its steep cliffs make it a formidable mountain to summit. USGS photo by D. Downs.

A view of Rainmaker Mountain to the east of Pago Pago harbor on Tutuila Island, American Samoa. Rainmaker Mountain was mapped in the 1940s as a trachyte plug by geologist Harold Stearns. Dense jungle, the highest annual rainfall in American Samoa, and its steep cliffs make it a formidable mountain to summit. USGS photo by D. Downs.

Color photograph of coast
August 5, 2023 — View of the basalt lava cliffs along the southwest part of Tutuila, American Samoa
August 5, 2023 — View of the basalt lava cliffs along the southwest part of Tutuila, American Samoa
August 5, 2023 — View of the basalt lava cliffs along the southwest part of Tutuila, American Samoa

A view looking at the basalt lava flows that make cliffs along the southwestern part of Tutuila Island, American Samoa. These flows are part of the Leone volcanic series and form the flattest part of Tutuila Island, where the airport and population center of Tafuna are located. USGS photo by D. Downs.

A view looking at the basalt lava flows that make cliffs along the southwestern part of Tutuila Island, American Samoa. These flows are part of the Leone volcanic series and form the flattest part of Tutuila Island, where the airport and population center of Tafuna are located. USGS photo by D. Downs.

Color photograph of cliffs and ocean
August 4, 2023 — Eastern end of Tutuila and Aunuʻu islands in American Samoa
August 4, 2023 — Eastern end of Tutuila and Aunuʻu islands in American Samoa
August 4, 2023 — Eastern end of Tutuila and Aunuʻu islands in American Samoa

The view looks south along the basalt cliffs and beaches at Tula point on the eastern end of Tutuila Island, American Samoa. Tutuila Island is a shield volcano, formed by basalt flows that are 1-1.5 million years old.

The view looks south along the basalt cliffs and beaches at Tula point on the eastern end of Tutuila Island, American Samoa. Tutuila Island is a shield volcano, formed by basalt flows that are 1-1.5 million years old.

Color graphics of earthquakes
Map of American Samoa volcano-monitoring network.
Map of American Samoa volcano-monitoring network.
Map of American Samoa volcano-monitoring network.

Map of the American Samoa volcano-monitoring network (top). Data from Wake Island hydrograph (located about 4,500 km, or 2,900 miles, northwest of Taʻū Island) shows the general trend in the number of events during the 2022 earthquake swarm (bottom left). Locations for larger earthquakes (M2.5 and greater) are available starting August 20, 2022 (bottom right).

Map of the American Samoa volcano-monitoring network (top). Data from Wake Island hydrograph (located about 4,500 km, or 2,900 miles, northwest of Taʻū Island) shows the general trend in the number of events during the 2022 earthquake swarm (bottom left). Locations for larger earthquakes (M2.5 and greater) are available starting August 20, 2022 (bottom right).

Color bathymetric map
Bathymetric data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) collected around American Samoa
Bathymetric data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) collected around American Samoa
Bathymetric data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) collected around American Samoa

Bathymetric data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) collected around American Samoa. Light gray areas are the islands of Tutuila, Ofu-Olosega, and Taʻū. Black lines are 1,640 ft (500 m) contour intervals below sea level.

Bathymetric data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) collected around American Samoa. Light gray areas are the islands of Tutuila, Ofu-Olosega, and Taʻū. Black lines are 1,640 ft (500 m) contour intervals below sea level.

Color photograph of scientist deploying instrument in the field
September 14, 2022 — Tutuila seismic station installation
September 14, 2022 — Tutuila seismic station installation
September 14, 2022 — Tutuila seismic station installation

A USGS scientist installs a seismic station on Tutuila island in American Samoa. This station joins several other stations recently installed in the Manu‘a Islands to monitor activity in American Samoa. USGS photo by A. Ellis.

A USGS scientist installs a seismic station on Tutuila island in American Samoa. This station joins several other stations recently installed in the Manu‘a Islands to monitor activity in American Samoa. USGS photo by A. Ellis.

Color map of islands and nearby bathymetry
Topography, bathymetry, and volcano monitoring network of the Manu‘a Islands, American Samoa
Topography, bathymetry, and volcano monitoring network of the Manu‘a Islands, American Samoa
Topography, bathymetry, and volcano monitoring network of the Manu‘a Islands, American Samoa

This reference map depicts the topography and bathymetry of the volcanoes in the Manu‘a Islands, American Samoa. The highest elevation in the area is Lata Mountain on Ta‘ū Island, standing 3,179 feet (969 meters) above sea level.

This reference map depicts the topography and bathymetry of the volcanoes in the Manu‘a Islands, American Samoa. The highest elevation in the area is Lata Mountain on Ta‘ū Island, standing 3,179 feet (969 meters) above sea level.

Color reference map
Reference map of the volcanic islands of American Samoa
Reference map of the volcanic islands of American Samoa
Reference map of the volcanic islands of American Samoa

This reference map depicts the volcanic islands of American Samoa, and specifically the Manu‘a Islands of Ofu, Olosega, and Ta‘ū. In recent days and weeks, residents of the islands have been feeling moderate earthquakes, and the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has deployed several staff members to American Samoa to help monitor the unrest.

This reference map depicts the volcanic islands of American Samoa, and specifically the Manu‘a Islands of Ofu, Olosega, and Ta‘ū. In recent days and weeks, residents of the islands have been feeling moderate earthquakes, and the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has deployed several staff members to American Samoa to help monitor the unrest.

Color photograph of island from space
NASA Astronaut image of Tutuila island (American Samoa) from space
NASA Astronaut image of Tutuila island (American Samoa) from space
NASA Astronaut image of Tutuila island (American Samoa) from space

NASA Astronaut image of Tutuila island (Manu'a Islands, American Samoa) in the South Pacific Ocean. NASA - ISS002-701-263.

NASA Astronaut image of Tutuila island (Manu'a Islands, American Samoa) in the South Pacific Ocean. NASA - ISS002-701-263.