![National Park Service Logo](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080923142323im_/http://www.nps.gov/pwr/templates/images/graphics/parkblackband.gif) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080923142323im_/http://www.nps.gov/pwr/templates/images/graphics/blkshim.gif) |
![National Park Service: U.S. Department of the Interior](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080923142323im_/http://www.nps.gov/pwr/templates/images/graphics/prntarrw.gif) ![National Park Service Arrowhead](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080923142323im_/http://www.nps.gov/pwr/templates/images/graphics/prnttitl.gif) |
|
|
|
National Park of American Samoa
Nature & Science
|
|
|
|
|
|
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080923142323im_/http://www.nps.gov/pwr/templates/images/graphics/spacer.gif) |
|
NPS photo by Tavita Togia. |
Brown booby, fua'o, nest on Pola Ridge. |
|
Overview
The Samoan Archipelago is a typical Pacific Ocean Volcanic Island arc. As the Pacific Ocean plate moves 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. The National Park of American Samoa is really 'three parks' on four separate islands--Ta'u, Ofu/Olosega, 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. These web pages offer you an opportunity to visit the park vicariously--and appreciate the park's unique culture, biodiversity and scenic beauty, and day-dream of actually visiting Ofu, Olosega, Ta'u, and Tutuila. Plan to spend some time here someday.
|
| | |
|
|
![noddy tern noddy tern](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080923142323im_/http://www.nps.gov/pwr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/NPSA_Nov7204x65.jpg) Natural History Guide to the Park The on-line version of our latest book more... | | ![Lined tang button Lined tang button](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080923142323im_/http://www.nps.gov/pwr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/NPSA_tang094hilit.jpg) Fish Inventory Lots of pictures of our local fishes more... | | ![Coral head button Coral head button](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080923142323im_/http://www.nps.gov/pwr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/NPSA_crbutton.jpg) Coral Inventory More than 200 species, many illustrated more... | | ![Thespesia Thespesia](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080923142323im_/http://www.nps.gov/pwr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/NPSA_Thexpopul65.jpg) Plant Inventory Checklist of higher plants with some illustrations more... | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
![Samoan fruit bats hanging at rest Samoan fruit bats hanging at rest](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080923142323im_/http://www.nps.gov/pwr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/NPSA_NPSA_npsa013x65.jpg) |
|
Did You Know?
Throughout the Pacific the main reason for the rarity of the two fruit bat species, or flying foxes, is that it is widely sought as a food and considered a delicacy. Sale or trade in fruit bats is now illegal in the U.S. and its territories.
|
|
|
|
Last Updated: January 29, 2008 at 13:44 EST |