Type of quake, depth of ocean, location of Samoa all add up to devastating high-speed tsunamiSeptember 30th, 2009 Conditions combined for devastating tsunamiWASHINGTON — Because of a lethal combination of geology and geography, the people of American Samoa didn't stand much of a chance. Almost every condition that triggers bad tsunamis was in place this time, generating waves that raced toward the island territory at speeds approaching 530 mph, or as fast as a 747 jumbo jet.
Nearly 100 killed in quake, ensuing tsunami at Samoa islands in South PacificSeptember 30th, 2009 Nearly 100 dead in tsunami in Pacific islandsAPIA, Samoa — A powerful earthquake in the South Pacific hurled a massive tsunami at the shores of Samoa and American Samoa, flattening villages and sweeping cars and people out to sea, leaving at least 99 dead and dozens missing. Survivors fled the fast-churning water for higher ground and remained huddled there hours after the quake struck early Tuesday.
White House issues disaster declaration for American Samoa following deadly tsunamiSeptember 30th, 2009 Disaster declaration issued for American SamoaWASHINGTON — The White House has declared a major disaster in American Samoa following a deadly tsunami. Early reports say towering waves spawned by an earthquake have flattened villages and killed several people in American Samoa.
Obama declares major disaster for tsunami-ravaged American Samoa, promises aggressive responseSeptember 30th, 2009 Obama declares major disaster for American SamoaWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says his deepest sympathies are with the people of American Samoa and Samoa who lost loved ones after an earthquake sent a massive tsunami toward the Pacific islands. Obama has declared a major disaster for American Samoa and says the Federal Emergency Management Agency is working with emergency responders in the region.
Tsunami destroys Samoa villages after 8.3 magnitude quakeSeptember 29th, 2009 WASHINGTON/WELLINGTON - An 8.3-magnitude earthquake struck off American Samoa Tuesday triggering a three-metre tsunami, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii confirmed, demolishing villages on low-lying islands in the Pacific state of Samoa. The quake, originally estimated at a magnitude of 7.9, was upgraded to the level of a "great quake" and aftershocks were continuing, Radio New Zealand reported.
Tsunami destroys Samoa villages after powerful quake (Second lead)September 29th, 2009 WASHINGTON/WELLINGTON - At least 25 people died in the Pacific island states of Samoa and American Samoa after a tsunami was triggered by a magnitude 8.0 earthquake Tuesday, according to reports from the region. A number of coastal villages were swept away and reports said the death toll was bound to rise as people who were evacuated to higher ground after the shake returned to lower levels.
Magnitude 8.3 quake strikes off American SamoaSeptember 29th, 2009 WASHINGTON/WELLINGTON - An 8.3-magnitude earthquake struck off American Samoa Tuesday triggering a three-metre tsunami, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii confirmed. The earthquake's epicentre was located about 204 km southwest of the remote Pacific island and it struck at a depth of 85 km.
US says huge 7.6 earthquake hits in Indian OceanAugust 10th, 2009 USGS: huge earthquake hits in Indian OceanWASHINGTON —U.S. officials on Monday reported that a huge 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck in the Indian Ocean and issued a regional tsunami watch for India, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand and Bangladesh that was lifted later.
Powerful quake reported in Gulf of CaliforniaAugust 3rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - A powerful earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Ritcher scale was registered Monday in Mexico's Gulf of California, bringing the possibility of high tsunami-type waves, the US-funded Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre reported. The quake occurred at 1800 GMT at a depth of 15 km, inside the narrow body of water that separates Mexico's Baha peninsula from its mainland.
Powell not sure whether torture of extremists worksMay 25th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Former US Secretary of State Colin Powell has said that he has "no idea" if the enhanced interrogation techniques used during the Bush administration were effective. "I have no idea.
Solomon Islands launches reconciliation with help of Desmond TutuApril 28th, 2009 Solomon Islands launches reconciliation bidHONIARA, Solomon Islands — South Africa's Archbishop Desmond Tutu called for reconciliation, not revenge, as he launched a commission Wednesday aimed at resolving ethnic tensions that saw hundreds killed and at least 20,000 driven from their homes. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Tutu told the thousands who flocked to hear him in the capital, Honiara, that he hoped victims of the nation's troubles would not hold grudges or hatred.
Strong earthquake shakes IndonesiaFebruary 11th, 2009 WASHINGTON - An earthquake with a magnitude of at least seven on the Richter scale shook the northern portion of Indonesia's Sulawesi island Wednesday. The quake at a depth of 35 km near the Talaud islands between Sulawesi and the southern Philippines occurred at 1734 GMT, the US Geological Survey said.
Strong quake jolts AlaskaJanuary 24th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A powerful earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale Saturday jolted the US state of Alaska, the US Geological Survey (USGS) reported. The earthquake occurred at 9.09 a.m., with its epicentre some 259 km southwest of Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, and with a depth of 94.5 km, the USGS said on its website.
Strong quake reported off Indonesian coastJanuary 3rd, 2009 JAKARTA/WASHINGTON - An underwater earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter scale was recorded early Sunday off the coast of eastern Indonesia, the US Geological Survey said. The quake struck at 4.43 a.m.
Coral reefs on way to recovery after tsunamiJanuary 1st, 2009 WASHINGTON - Coral reefs are on the way to recovery in areas of Indonesia, following the tsunami that devastated coastal regions throughout the Indian Ocean on Dec 26, 2004. The New York based Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) working with Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies (ARCCoERS), has documented high densities of 'baby corals' in areas that were severely impacted by the tsunami.
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