Savai'i Volcano

Updated: Mar 14, 2025 04:48 GMT - refresh

Shield volcano

Samoa, Samoan Islands, -13.61°S / -172.53°W

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Summit height: 1858 m / 6,096 ft

Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)

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News/Updates | Earthquakes

Typical eruption style: unspecified
Savai'i volcano eruptions: 1911

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Background

Savai'i, the largest and highest of the Samoan islands, consists of a massive basaltic shield volcano constructed along a WNW-ESE-trending rift zone that splits into two rifts on the east side of the 75-km-long, oval-shaped island. Pliocene and Pleistocene shield formation was followed by stream and marine erosion, partial submergence, and growth of coral reefs. Late-stage Pleistocene and Holocene eruptions produced voluminous lava flows that partially buried fringing reefs. Numerous cinder cones and lava cones dot the broad crest of Savai'i, which has a low-angle, dome-like profile and reaches an elevation of 1858 m. Additional cones occur on the north-central flank, and a large number are found in the south-central part of the island. Three eruptions, including two in the 20th century, occurred in historical time, and produced voluminous lava flows that reached the northern coast along broad fronts up to about 15 km wide, destroying several villages and overtopping fringing reefs.
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Smithsonian / GVP volcano information

Significant volcanic eruptions: Savai'i volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Savai'i has had at least 12 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 3 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.

The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Savai'i volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Savai'i can be found on the news page of Savai'i volcano.

Date	Note	VEI	Damage
1905 Aug 4 - 1911 Nov	Matavanu (north flank 402 m) Historical obs./docs.	2
1907 Oct 6 (eruptive episode 1907 Oct 6)	Tsunami recorded Historical obs./docs.	0	heavy	Info
1907 Oct 6: 1907, October 6. The Matavanu volcano on Savai'i Island began erupting on August 4, 1905. The flows occasionally generated small tsunamis in Western Samoa by avalanching material into the sea on the following dates: November 28, 1906; June 8, 19, 27, 2006; July 9, 25, 1907. According to Anderson (1910), the largest and most important tsunami that was caused by the Matavanu volcano eruption occurred on October 6, 1907, at about 5:30 P.M. local time (Reference #236). Cited references #236 Lander, James F., and Patricia A. Lockridge (1989): United States Tsunamis (Including United States Possessions) 1690-1988, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Geophysical Data Center, Boulder, Colorado, USA, Publication 41-2, 265 p. #337 Pararas-Carayannis, George, and Bonnie Dong (1980): Catalog of tsunamis in the Samoan Islands, Appendix A in Tsunami elevation predictions for American Samoa, by James R. Houston, Technical Report HL-80-16, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA, p. A1-A76. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1907 Jul 25 (eruption 1905 Aug 4 - 1911 Nov)	Tsunami recorded Historical obs./docs.	2		Info
1907 Jul 25: 1905-1911. The Matavanu volcano eruption first began on August 4 of 1905. The flows occasionally generated small tsunamis by avalanching material into the sea. Several tsunami-like waves were observed when the crater was more than usually active. It is interesting to note that several so-called 'tidal' waves have occurred during the eruption. The following were noticed at Matautu by Amtmann Williams November 28th, 1906 5:30 p.m. June 8th, 1907 at noon June 19th, 1907 3 a.m. June 27th, 1907 between 6 & 7 p.m. July 9th, 1907 6:45 p.m. July 25th, 1907 11 a.m. The tide usually rises and falls about 4 feet at Matautu. Most of these waves did not exceed 6 to 8 feet in height, and as many of them occurred at low or half-tide, and there was no heavy sea on at the time, little damage was done, although in several cases the main road of the town was flooded. (above from reference #337) Cited references #337 Pararas-Carayannis, George, and Bonnie Dong (1980): Catalog of tsunamis in the Samoan Islands, Appendix A in Tsunami elevation predictions for American Samoa, by James R. Houston, Technical Report HL-80-16, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA, p. A1-A76. #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). #10953 Siebert, Lee, Tom Simkin, Paul Kimberly (2010): Volcanoes of the World, Third Edition, Geoscience Press, Inc., University of California Press, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., 551 p. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1907 Jul 9 (eruption 1905 Aug 4 - 1911 Nov)	Tsunami recorded Historical obs./docs.	2		Info
1907 Jul 9: 1905-1911. The Matavanu volcano eruption first began on August 4 of 1905. The flows occasionally generated small tsunamis by avalanching material into the sea. Several tsunami-like waves were observed when the crater was more than usually active. It is interesting to note that several so-called 'tidal' waves have occurred during the eruption. The following were noticed at Matautu by Amtmann Williams November 28th, 1906 5:30 p.m. June 8th, 1907 at noon June 19th, 1907 3 a.m. June 27th, 1907 between 6 & 7 p.m. July 9th, 1907 6:45 p.m. July 25th, 1907 11 a.m. The tide usually rises and falls about 4 feet at Matautu. Most of these waves did not exceed 6 to 8 feet in height, and as many of them occurred at low or half-tide, and there was no heavy sea on at the time, little damage was done, although in several cases the main road of the town was flooded. (above from reference #337) Cited references #337 Pararas-Carayannis, George, and Bonnie Dong (1980): Catalog of tsunamis in the Samoan Islands, Appendix A in Tsunami elevation predictions for American Samoa, by James R. Houston, Technical Report HL-80-16, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA, p. A1-A76. #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). #10953 Siebert, Lee, Tom Simkin, Paul Kimberly (2010): Volcanoes of the World, Third Edition, Geoscience Press, Inc., University of California Press, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., 551 p. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1907 Jun 27 (eruption 1905 Aug 4 - 1911 Nov)	Tsunami recorded Historical obs./docs.	2		Info
1907 Jun 27: 1905-1911. The Matavanu volcano eruption first began on August 4 of 1905. The flows occasionally generated small tsunamis by avalanching material into the sea. Several tsunami-like waves were observed when the crater was more than usually active. It is interesting to note that several so-called 'tidal' waves have occurred during the eruption. The following were noticed at Matautu by Amtmann Williams November 28th, 1906 5:30 p.m. June 8th, 1907 at noon June 19th, 1907 3 a.m. June 27th, 1907 between 6 & 7 p.m. July 9th, 1907 6:45 p.m. July 25th, 1907 11 a.m. The tide usually rises and falls about 4 feet at Matautu. Most of these waves did not exceed 6 to 8 feet in height, and as many of them occurred at low or half-tide, and there was no heavy sea on at the time, little damage was done, although in several cases the main road of the town was flooded. (above from reference #337) Cited references #337 Pararas-Carayannis, George, and Bonnie Dong (1980): Catalog of tsunamis in the Samoan Islands, Appendix A in Tsunami elevation predictions for American Samoa, by James R. Houston, Technical Report HL-80-16, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA, p. A1-A76. #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). #10953 Siebert, Lee, Tom Simkin, Paul Kimberly (2010): Volcanoes of the World, Third Edition, Geoscience Press, Inc., University of California Press, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., 551 p. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1907 Jun 19 (eruption 1905 Aug 4 - 1911 Nov)	Tsunami recorded Historical obs./docs.	2		Info
1907 Jun 19: 1905-1911. The Matavanu volcano eruption first began on August 4 of 1905. The flows occasionally generated small tsunamis by avalanching material into the sea. Several tsunami-like waves were observed when the crater was more than usually active. It is interesting to note that several so-called 'tidal' waves have occurred during the eruption. The following were noticed at Matautu by Amtmann Williams November 28th, 1906 5:30 p.m. June 8th, 1907 at noon June 19th, 1907 3 a.m. June 27th, 1907 between 6 & 7 p.m. July 9th, 1907 6:45 p.m. July 25th, 1907 11 a.m. The tide usually rises and falls about 4 feet at Matautu. Most of these waves did not exceed 6 to 8 feet in height, and as many of them occurred at low or half-tide, and there was no heavy sea on at the time, little damage was done, although in several cases the main road of the town was flooded. (above from reference #337) Cited references #337 Pararas-Carayannis, George, and Bonnie Dong (1980): Catalog of tsunamis in the Samoan Islands, Appendix A in Tsunami elevation predictions for American Samoa, by James R. Houston, Technical Report HL-80-16, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA, p. A1-A76. #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). #10953 Siebert, Lee, Tom Simkin, Paul Kimberly (2010): Volcanoes of the World, Third Edition, Geoscience Press, Inc., University of California Press, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., 551 p. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1907 Jun 8 (eruption 1905 Aug 4 - 1911 Nov)	Tsunami recorded Historical obs./docs.	2		Info
1907 Jun 8: 1905-1911. The Matavanu volcano eruption first began on August 4 of 1905. The flows occasionally generated small tsunamis by avalanching material into the sea. Several tsunami-like waves were observed when the crater was more than usually active. It is interesting to note that several so-called 'tidal' waves have occurred during the eruption. The following were noticed at Matautu by Amtmann Williams November 28th, 1906 5:30 p.m. June 8th, 1907 at noon June 19th, 1907 3 a.m. June 27th, 1907 between 6 & 7 p.m. July 9th, 1907 6:45 p.m. July 25th, 1907 11 a.m. The tide usually rises and falls about 4 feet at Matautu. Most of these waves did not exceed 6 to 8 feet in height, and as many of them occurred at low or half-tide, and there was no heavy sea on at the time, little damage was done, although in several cases the main road of the town was flooded. (above from reference #337) Cited references #337 Pararas-Carayannis, George, and Bonnie Dong (1980): Catalog of tsunamis in the Samoan Islands, Appendix A in Tsunami elevation predictions for American Samoa, by James R. Houston, Technical Report HL-80-16, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA, p. A1-A76. #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). #10953 Siebert, Lee, Tom Simkin, Paul Kimberly (2010): Volcanoes of the World, Third Edition, Geoscience Press, Inc., University of California Press, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., 551 p. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1906 Nov 28 (eruption 1905 Aug 4 - 1911 Nov)	Tsunami recorded Historical obs./docs.	2		Info
1906 Nov 28: 1905-1911. The Matavanu volcano eruption first began on August 4 of 1905. The flows occasionally generated small tsunamis by avalanching material into the sea. Several tsunami-like waves were observed when the crater was more than usually active. It is interesting to note that several so-called 'tidal' waves have occurred during the eruption. The following were noticed at Matautu by Amtmann Williams November 28th, 1906 5:30 p.m. June 8th, 1907 at noon June 19th, 1907 3 a.m. June 27th, 1907 between 6 & 7 p.m. July 9th, 1907 6:45 p.m. July 25th, 1907 11 a.m. The tide usually rises and falls about 4 feet at Matautu. Most of these waves did not exceed 6 to 8 feet in height, and as many of them occurred at low or half-tide, and there was no heavy sea on at the time, little damage was done, although in several cases the main road of the town was flooded. (above from reference #337) Cited references #337 Pararas-Carayannis, George, and Bonnie Dong (1980): Catalog of tsunamis in the Samoan Islands, Appendix A in Tsunami elevation predictions for American Samoa, by James R. Houston, Technical Report HL-80-16, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA, p. A1-A76. #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). #10953 Siebert, Lee, Tom Simkin, Paul Kimberly (2010): Volcanoes of the World, Third Edition, Geoscience Press, Inc., University of California Press, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., 551 p. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1905 Aug 4 (eruption 1905 Aug 4 - 1911 Nov)	Tsunami recorded Historical obs./docs.	2	heavy	Info
1905 Aug 4: 1905-1911. The volcano Matavanu on the island of Savaii (Samoan Islands) was active between August 4, 1905, and November. Huge streams of lava up to one cubic km in volume emerged, one of which moved in a northeasterly direction and reached the ocean shore, a distance 12 km from the crater on December 6, 1905. Fields and villages situated in the path of the lava stream were destroyed. From time to time the lava tongues fell into the water and gave rise to small tsunami-type waves (including at the end of 1906 and in 1907). One of the phases of the eruption was observed by the missionary, John Farlong. According to his account, after some periods marked by earth tremors, on August 4, 1908, two yawning fissures appeared from which clouds of steam, illuminated by flames and eruptive material, shot up with explosive force. The streams of lava moved at a rate of 900 m (1/2 mile) in a 24 hour period, and at the points where the lava fell into the sea huge columns of steam rose, several times in the same area. They were 450 m (500 yards) in length and inundated the land for a distance of 90-110 m (100-120 yards). According to observers, the appearance of the waves coincided with increasing volcanic activity. (reference #415) The Matavanu volcano on Savai'i Island began erupting on August 4, 1905. The flows occasionally generated small tsunamis in Western Samoa by avalanching material into the sea on the following dates: November 28, 1906; June 8, 19, 27, 2006; July 9, 25, 1907 (Reference #236). Cited references #236 Lander, James F., and Patricia A. Lockridge (1989): United States Tsunamis (Including United States Possessions) 1690-1988, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Geophysical Data Center, Boulder, Colorado, USA, Publication 41-2, 265 p. #415 Soloviev, S.L., and Ch.N. Go (1975): A catalogue of tsunamis on the eastern shore of the Pacific Ocean [dates include 1513-1968]. Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Nauka Publishing House, Moscow, 204 p. [Canadian Translation of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences no. 5078, 1984, translation available from Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information, National Research Council, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A OS2, 293 p.] #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1902 Oct 30 - Nov 17 ±4 d.	Mata Ole Afi (1649 m) Historical obs./docs.	1
1760	Mauga Afi (west-central Toasivi ridge) Historical obs./docs.	2
1610 ±200 y. AD	Le'ele	?
1350 ±50 y. AD	Tafua Savai'i?	?
1310 ±50 y. AD		?
1240 ±30 y. AD		?
1040 ±150 y. AD		?
170 ±100 y. AD		?
480 ±300 y. BC		?
1150 ±150 y. BC		?
1990 ±150 y. BC	North flank (Maugaloa)	?

Remark:

Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.

Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution

Savai'i Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Savai'i volcano?

The last confirmed eruption of Savai'i occurred during 1905 - 1911.

+How often does Savai'i volcano erupt?

Since 1760, Savai'i volcano has had at least 3 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 88 years.
Many eruptions of Savai'i have lasted more than one year. In total, the volcano has been in eruption during 9 out of 265 years until now. In other words, Savai'i has been active at least one in 29.4 years on average. Note that this value is likely an underestimate, because the known history of eruptions from Savai'i is likely incomplete, especially further back in time.

+How active is Savai'i volcano at present?

Savai'i volcano is infrequently active: Since 1900, it has had 8 eruptions, and been active during 8 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Savai'i has been in eruption one in 15.8 years on average. The last eruption was from 1905 until 1911 and ended 113 years ago.

+When was the largest eruption of Savai'i volcano?

The largest eruption of Savai'i volcano in historic times occurred during 1905 - 1911. It ranks as a strombolian to vulcanian eruption with a magnitude 2 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.

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Savai'i Volcano Maps

Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).