Mount Matavanu

Matavanu
Matavanu erupting, 1906
Location
Location	Savai'i Island in Samoa
Geology
Last eruption	1905 - 1911

Mt Matavanu is an active volcano on the island of Savai'i in Samoa.

The most recent eruptions from Matavanu occurred between 1905 - 1911^[1] with lava flows on its northern side flowing towards the island's coastline and into the sea in the district of Gaga'emauga.

The eruptions began 4 August 1905 and stopped in November 1911.^[2] The lava flowed over 40 square miles (100 km²) of countryside to the lagoon and reef, destroying villages in its path between Samalae'ulu to the east and Saleaula to the west. The depth of the lava flow in some parts was 400 feet.

Due to the destruction of their homes by the seaside, some of the villages relocated further inland by the main island road.

The lava fields can still be seen today, especially in Saleaula as well as the picturesque village of Mauga where the houses or fale are situated around a small volcanic crater.^[3]

There are church ruins as well a 'Virgin's Grave', the burial place of a nun where the molten lava flowed around rather than over it.^[4]

Other volcanoes on Savai'i include Mata o le Afi and Mauga Afi.

The island of Savai'i is an active shield volcano. Its highest peak is Mt Silisili.

Mythology

In Samoan mythology the god of earthquakes is Mafui'e. Another mythical figure Ti'iti'i tricked the earthquake god so that Samoans could have fire to cook their food.

• Gallery
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  Savai'i (left island) with lava fields visible (top left) in Gaga'emauga district. (NASA photo, 2008).

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  Matavanu lava flowing into the ocean along the coast and sending plumes of smoke skywards, 1905

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  Eruption, 1905

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  A church damaged by lava, 1905

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  Lava fields on Savai'i, 2009

References

1. ^ "Samoa - Savai'i". Oceandots.com. 2002-06-16. http://www.oceandots.com/pacific/samoa/savaii.php. Retrieved 2011-11-02. 
2. ^ "Global Volcanism Program | Savai'i | Eruptive History". Volcano.si.edu. http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=0404-04=&volpage=erupt. Retrieved 2011-11-02. 
3. ^ "Samoa Tourism Authority : Map". Samoa.travel. 2000-10-30. http://www.samoa.travel/map.aspx. Retrieved 2011-11-02. 
4. ^ "Lava Field on Savai'i Island, Samoa, South Pacific". Samoa.southpacific.org. http://www.samoa.southpacific.org/savaii/lavafield.html. Retrieved 2011-11-02. 

Coordinates: 13°32′S 172°24′W / 13.533°S 172.4°W / -13.533; -172.4