October 6, 1907 Tsunami: Matavanu Volcano, Samoa

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)

1907, October 6. According to Anderson (1910, reference #4097), 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. The largest and most important of the series was that on Sunday, October 6th, 1907, at about 5:30 p.m. It was just at the time of high water, but the sea was smooth. The wave was 10 or 12 feet high; it came from the north-east round the lave-point, as in fact the others had done, and at the Deutsche Handels & Plantagen Gesellschaft's place a boat-house was wrecked, a buggy in it smashed, and several boats were damaged; while, at a house a few score yards off, a 400-gallon tank of water was lifted bodily from its foundation and carried across the road. The wave appears to have spent itself here and, it was thought, probably rebounded out to sea. No damage was done at the Government Offices, 150 yards distant, nor in either direction along the coast. The wave was noticed, but of smaller size, in some of the other islands. At Apia it had a height of only 1or 2 feet. It was probably connected with the lava falling into the sea , but the exact cause was uncertain. Possibly it was due to a steam explosion. (Anderson, 1910). (reference #337)

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