Mt Matavanu
Encyclopedia
Mt Matavanu is an active volcano on the island of Savai'i
in Samoa
.
The most recent eruptions from Matavanu occurred between 1905 - 1911 with lava flows on its northern side flowing towards the island's coastline and into the sea in the district of Gaga'emauga
.
The eruptions began 4 August 1905 and stopped in November 1911. The lava flowed over 40 square miles (103.6 km²) of countryside to the lagoon and reef, destroying villages in its path between Samalae'ulu
to the east and Saleaula
to the west. The depth of the lava flow in some parts was 400 feet.
Due to the destruction of their homes by the seaside, some of the villages relocated further inland by the main island road.
The lava fields can still be seen today, especially in Saleaula as well as the picturesque village of Mauga
where the houses or fale
are situated around a small volcanic crater.
There are church ruins as well a 'Virgin's Grave', the burial place of a nun where the molten lava flowed around rather than over it.
Other volcanoes on Savai'i include Mata o le Afi and Mauga Afi.
The island of Savai'i is an active shield volcano
. Its highest peak is Mt Silisili
.
the god of earthquakes is Mafui'e
. Another mythical figure Ti'iti'i
tricked the earthquake god so that Samoans could have fire to cook their food.
Savai'i
Savaii is the largest and highest island in Samoa and the Samoa Islands chain. It is also the biggest landmass in Polynesia outside Hawaii and New Zealand. The island of Savai'i is also referred to by Samoans as Salafai, a classical Samoan term used in oratory and prose...
in Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
.
The most recent eruptions from Matavanu occurred between 1905 - 1911 with lava flows on its northern side flowing towards the island's coastline and into the sea in the district of Gaga'emauga
Gaga'emauga
Gaga'emauga is an electoral district on the island of Savai'i in Samoa. The district is situated on the central north side of Savai'i. The name Gaga'emauga literally means: “near side of the mountain” meaning the eastern side of the mountain chain running through the centre of ...
.
The eruptions began 4 August 1905 and stopped in November 1911. The lava flowed over 40 square miles (103.6 km²) of countryside to the lagoon and reef, destroying villages in its path between Samalae'ulu
Samalae'ulu
Samalae'ulu is a village on the northeast side of Savai'i island in Samoa.The village is part of the electoral constituency Gaga'emauga I which includes the neighbouring villages of Patamea and the smaller settlement of Mauga which is built around a volcanic crater.The population of Samalae'ulu is...
to the east and Saleaula
Saleaula
Sale'aula is a village on the central north coast of Savai'i island in Samoa and is the traditional center of the Gaga'emauga political district...
to the west. The depth of the lava flow in some parts was 400 feet.
Due to the destruction of their homes by the seaside, some of the villages relocated further inland by the main island road.
The lava fields can still be seen today, especially in Saleaula as well as the picturesque village of Mauga
Mauga
Mauga is a village in Savai'i island in Samoa. The word mauga means mountain in the Samoan language. The settlement is built around the crater of a small volcano.Mauga is in the Gaga'emauga political district near the central north coast of the island...
where the houses or fale
Architecture of Samoa
The architecture of Samoa is characterised by openness, with the design mirroring the culture and life of the Samoan people who inhabit the Samoa Islands. Architectural concepts are incorporated into Samoan proverbs, oratory and metaphors, as well as linking to other art forms in Samoa, such as...
are situated around a small volcanic crater.
There are church ruins as well a 'Virgin's Grave', the burial place of a nun where the molten lava flowed around rather than over it.
Other volcanoes on Savai'i include Mata o le Afi and Mauga Afi.
The island of Savai'i is an active shield volcano
Shield volcano
A shield volcano is a type of volcano usually built almost entirely of fluid lava flows. They are named for their large size and low profile, resembling a warrior's shield. This is caused by the highly fluid lava they erupt, which travels farther than lava erupted from more explosive volcanoes...
. Its highest peak is Mt Silisili
Silisili
Mount Silisili is the highest peak in Samoa and the Samoa Islands chain. It is located in the centre of a mountain chain running the length of Savai'i island.Mount Silisili rises to a height of 1,858 m...
.
Mythology
In Samoan mythologySamoan mythology
Samoan mythology tell stories of many different gods. There were gods of the forest, the seas, rain, harvest, villages and war. There were two types of gods, atua who had non-human origins and aitu who were of human origin. Tagaloa was a supreme god who made the islands and the people. Mafui'e was...
the god of earthquakes is Mafui'e
Mafui'e
In Polynesian mythology , Mafui'e is the god of earthquakes.Mafui'e was the keeper of fire. Ti'i Ti'i won the fire from Mafui'e in a battle and thus fire was brought to the people of Samoa....
. Another mythical figure Ti'iti'i
Ti'iti'i (Samoan mythology)
In Samoan legend, Ti'iti'i is the son of Talaga. He goes down to the earthquake-god, Mafui’e, who dwells in the underworld, and, receiving some fire from him, takes it back to the world, and begins to cook. Mafui’e then comes and blows on the fire, scattering it, and breaking up the oven. Ti'iti'i...
tricked the earthquake god so that Samoans could have fire to cook their food.