8.0 magnitude earthquake, tsunami strike American Samoa

**Moongirl** · September 29th, 2009, 03:19 PM

MSNBC.com
8.0 magnitude quake hits off American Samoa
Tsunami reportedly hits capital after temblor centered southwest of islands
NBC News and news services
updated 1:16 p.m. PT, Tues., Sept . 29, 2009

A tsunami warning was issued for New Zealand and other small Pacific islands after a major 7.9 magnitude quake struck in the ocean off American Samoa, U.S. government agencies said on Tuesday.

WASHINGTON - A tsunami struck Samoa and American Samoa on Tuesday after an offshore earthquake that U.S. government agencies said registered 8.0 magnitude.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or structural damage.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, a branch of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, issued a tsunami warning for Hawaii, Papua New Guinea and other Pacific Islands after the quake hit about 120 miles southwest of American Samoa. It struck at a depth of 20.5 miles.

American Samoa is a U.S. territory. Samoa is a sovereign nation west of American Samoa.

The bulletin estimated a tsunami, if powerful enough to reach Hawaii, would reach the island state approximately 1 p.m. local time (7 p.m. ET).

The warning was issued because a quake of this magnitude had the power to generate a destructive tsunami, the warning center said.

‘It was very quick’
In Samoa, New Zealander Graeme Ansell said the beach village of Sau Sau Beach Fale was leveled.

"It was very quick. The whole village has been wiped out," Ansell told National Radio from a hill near Samoa's capital, Apia. "There's not a building standing. We've all clambered up hills, and one of our party has a broken leg. There will be people in a great lot of need 'round here."

In 2004, a 9.0 quake in the Indian Ocean generated a powerful tsunami that killed tens of thousands people in Asia.

The representative from American Samoa to the U.S. Congress, Eni Faleomavaega, told NBC News that quake hit between the North Marianas Islands and American Samoa, creating 10 to 15- foot waves in populated low-lying areas like Pago Pago Bay.

"Cars were seen floating," the congressman said of Pago Pago Bay.

He said there will likely need to be mass evacuations of low-lying areas and there will be requests for assistance from Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

He said he didn't have any reports on injuries.

In Samoa, the powerful quake jolted people awake.

"It was pretty strong; it was long and lasted at least two minutes," one resident told local radio.

"It's the strongest I have felt, and we ran outside. You could see all the trees and houses were shaking," he said.

‘Everything dropped on the floor’
Sulili Dusi told New Zealand's National Radio that "everything dropped on the floor and we thought the house was going to go down as well. Thank God, it didn't." Along with neighbors, they fled to high ground.

She said the tsunami hit the south side of the island, and some "cars have been taken." She did not elaborate, but added "we just thank God no life has been taken yet."

Another resident, Dean Phillips, said the southern coast of Upolu island had been struck by the tsunami.

"The police are sending everybody up to high ground," he said.

Local media said they had reports of some landslides in the Solosolo region of the main Samoan island of Upolu and damage to plantations in the countryside outside Apia.

There were no immediate reports of injury or serious damage from local emergency services, but people reported cracks in some homes and items tossed from shelves.

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**AliceInWonderland** · September 29th, 2009, 03:23 PM

poor New Zealand. goodbye

kiwis

**msdeb** · September 29th, 2009, 03:25 PM

they are saying the Tsunami watch is all the way to Hawaii.

**LynnieD** · September 29th, 2009, 03:29 PM

Wow, hope it's not like the other well publicized Tsunami. Please be safe everyone that might be affected!

Moongirl: LOVE the avatar!!

**C_is_for_Cookie** · September 29th, 2009, 03:34 PM

Fuck, I've got family on the north island of New Zealand.

**BlameItOnVanity** · September 29th, 2009, 03:39 PM

how sad

i'm really praying it will be nothing like the last one. I really hope no dies or is seriously injured

**kingcap72** · September 29th, 2009, 03:39 PM

Evangelicals will start screaming that this is a sign of the 'end of days.'

Great avatar, Moongirl.

**cupcake** · September 29th, 2009, 03:56 PM

What about the cast of Survivor? Ikes! They are on the samoa Island arent they?

**Quazar** · September 29th, 2009, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by cupcake

What about the cast of Survivor? Ikes! They are on the samoa Island arent they?

They're probably already home. They ususally film months in advance of the TV show except for the finale, which is live.

**cupcake** · September 29th, 2009, 04:19 PM

Good thing! Didnt realize that

**Moongirl** · September 29th, 2009, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by LynnieD

Wow, hope it's not like the other well publicized Tsunami. Please be safe everyone that might be affected!

Moongirl: LOVE the avatar!!

Originally Posted by kingcap72

Evangelicals will start screaming that this is a sign of the 'end of days.'

Great avatar, Moongirl.

Thanks

**Nightdragon** · September 29th, 2009, 04:34 PM

Hopefully this wont be as fierce a Tsunami.

Moongirl that is the best avatar EVER!

**AliceInWonderland** · September 29th, 2009, 06:30 PM

Tsunami advisory for California after American Samoa earthquake | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times well im fucked fuckity fuck-o-ed!

bye guys

it was nice knowing all of you

**twitchy2.0** · September 29th, 2009, 06:35 PM

Bye Alice. It's been an honour and a privilege to have known you.

**A*O** · September 29th, 2009, 06:54 PM

Oh please. New Zealand is OK. The "tsunami" was less than 3ft high there. Get a grip people. Samoa has sustained some damage and casualties, mainly villages built right on the beach.