The 2009 Samoa earthquake was an 8.0 Mw earthquake which took place in the Samoan Islands region at 06:48:11 local time on September 30, 2009 (17:48:11 UTC September 29).
The earthquake generated three separate tsunami waves, the largest of which measured 13.7 feet (4.1 metres) from sea level height. A 3-inch (76 mm) rise in sea levels was recorded near the epicenter, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Ewa Beach, Hawaii. The quake occurred near the Kermadec-Tonga Subduction Zone in the Pacific Ring of Fire where continental plates in the earth's crust meet and earthquakes and volcanic activity are common.
The countries hit by the tsunami are American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga where deaths have been confirmed. Large waves with no major damage were reported on the coasts of Fiji, northern coast of New Zealand and the west coast of the United States.
The Australian reported a third Australian killed in Samoa, bringing the total of Australian fatalities to three.
The British Foreign Office confirmed the death of a two year old British girl in Samoa.
The Prime Minister of Australia Kevin Rudd has announced two Australians were killed in Samoa; a 6 year old girl and a woman from Northern Tasmania.
BBC has reported "At least 65 people were reported dead in Samoa, more than 20 in American Samoa and at least six in Tonga."
The Australian reported on 30 September 2009, "the toll from the tsunami and 8.3-magnitude earthquake has climbed to 63 with multiple deaths reported on Samoa, American Samoa and the Tongan island of Niuatoputatu, which borders Samoa."
Credit:Wikipedia
Jing Mei posted this... And Amanda had to edit it for her! Pfft.
