DEAR Blog
Disaster Experiential Activity and Reflection
Project by Noah Hass-Cohen, Psy.D., Alliant International University School of Professional Psychology
Contributors: Jeremy Arzt, M.A.; Joanna Clyde Findley, M.A.; Anya Kavanaugh, B.F.A;
Alliant International University, Couples and Family Therapy, Crisis and Trauma course students
2009: TAHITI-SAMOA EARTHQUAKE
Background
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The 2009 Samoa earthquake was an 8.1 Mw submarine earthquake that took place in the Samoan Islands region at 06:48:11 local time on September 29, 2009. Its size made it the largest earthquake of 2009.
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A tsunami was generated which caused substantial damage and loss of life in Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga.
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The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center recorded a 3-inch rise in sea levels near the epicenter, and New Zealand scientists determined that the waves measured 46 feet at their highest on the Samoan coast. The quake occurred on the outer rise of the Kermadec-Tonga Subduction Zone, which is where tectonic plates in the Earth's lithosphere meet and earthquakes and volcanic activity are common.
Life Threatening Toll: Death and Injury
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Countries affected by the tsunami in the areas that were hit are American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga (Niuatoputapu), where more than 189 people were killed, especially children, most of them in Samoa.
A crew starts to cleanup damages from the tsunami, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Crews_Damage_from_Tsunami_American_Samoa.jpg
Security camera captures impact of tsunami waves