National Park of American Samoa - Nature and Science

The Samoan Archipelago is a typical Pacific Ocean Volcanic Island arc. As the Pacific Ocean plate moves in a westward direction across a stationary hot spot (a place where molten rock from the Earth's mantle pierces the lithosphere plate) it forms a line of volcanoes, some of which reach the ocean surface to form a string of islands. To the west, Western Samoa islands, are the youngest; have had less time to be eroded away; and are the largest. The eastern islands, American Samoa are the oldest. Thus, they are smaller, craggier, and have longer time to develop fringing coral reefs. The National Park of American Samoa is really 'three parks' on four separate islands--Ta'u, Ofu/Olesego, and Tutuila. American Samoa National Park is undeveloped and remote--in the Southern hemisphere and near the International Date Line and (from America) in the far Pacific. Thus, these web pages offer an average person opportunity to become a park visitor vicariously--and appreciate the park's unique culture, biodiversity and scenic beauty, and day-dream of actually visiting Ofu, Olesega, Ta'u, and Tutuila. Plan, someday to spend some time here.