Tsunami Devestates American Samoa

American Samoa, a territory of the United States, was awakened by a massive undersea earthquake this morning at about 6:48 a.m.. The quake registered 8.0 and was centered under the seabed about 125 miles south of Apia, Samoa. A tsunami was generated by the quake and reached the main island of Tutuila at about 7 a.m.

American Samoa is a remote area of five islands and two coral atolls located about 2,600 miles south of Hawaii in the South Pacific. The island of Tutuila is the largest island and home to the territory's capital, Pago Pago. The population of the territory is estimated to be about 66,000 people. Most of the population lives along the coast.

The earthquake caused damage to the island's infrastructure, blacking out power and causing landslides in some areas. The tsunami struck the southern and southeastern coast and swept well inland. Estimates of the dead and missing vary at this time. The Sidney Morning Herald is quoting National Park officials have reported 5 separate waves, and that many of the Park's buildings have been destroyed.

Nearby Samoa, an independent nation, also suffered the effects of the earthquake and tsunami. The New York Times is quoting a reporter just outside the capital of Apia as saying at least 17 are dead at the time of his report. New Zealand has dispatched a P-3 Orion aircraft to assist the Samoans with search and rescue efforts.

President Obama has issued a disaster declaration for American Samoa. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has begun its response, and has pre-positioned supplies available in Hawaii for use in the disaster zone. The United States Coast Guard will be sending a C-130 aircraft with personnel and supplies as soon as the airport in Pago Pago has been able to clear its runways.

The short distance between the location of the earthquake and the shores of American Samoa limited the ability of the various tsunami warning networks to alert people in the islands. The first warning was issued at 7:04 a.m. local time, at which point the wave had already reached Pago Pago. The people in Apia had 6 minutes warning.

Warnings and watches continue as the waves generated by the earthquake cross the Pacific Ocean. The coast of California and the Pacific Northwest are watching for unusual wave and current activity.