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Asia and Oceania

Samoa

 Flag of Samoa
Still current at: 09 February 2010
Updated: 20 January 2010

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Natural Disasters section. We no longer advise against all but essential travel to the South Coast of Upolu and there are no travel restrictions in place in Samoa.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

 

Travel advice for this country

Natural disasters

Samoa is located in a seismic zone call the “Ring of Fire” and is subject to earthquakes.

The “ring of fire” is a horse-shoe-shaped zone of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that surrounds the basin of the Pacific Ocean.  It is 40,000km long and is associated with a nearly continuous series of oceanic trenches, island arcs, and volcanic mountain ranges and/or plate movements.

It is understood that 90% of the world's earthquakes and 81% of the world's largest earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire which is a direct consequence of plate tectonics and the movement of collisions of crustal plates.

An earthquake measuring 8.3 on the Richter scale struck Samoa on  29 September 2009,  which triggered a devastating tsunami. There was considerable  loss of lifeand numerous people injured in addition to localised damage mainly along the south coast of Upolu as a result of the tsunami.
  Tropical Storms The tropical storm season in Samoa runs from November to April.  Flooding can occur.  You should monitor local and international weather updates from World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).  You can also access http://www.met.gov.fj for updates.  Please also see Tropical cyclones for more detailed information about what to do if you are caught up in a tropical storm.

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