American Samoa
The U.S. Territory of American Samoa (the United States' southern-most territory) consists of a group of five volcanic islands and two atolls (Rose Atoll and Swains Island) in the central South Pacific Ocean, approximately 4,200 km south of the Main Hawaiian Islands. The five volcanic islands, Tutuila, Aunu'u, Ofu, Olosega, and Ta'u, are the major inhabited islands. Tutuila is the largest island and the center of government. Ofu, Olosega, and Ta'u, collectively are referred to as the Manu'a Islands.
These islands are small, ranging in size from Tutuila (138 km²) to the uninhabited and remote Rose Atoll (4 km²). Swains Island (approximately 2 km²) is an unbroken circle of land with an enclosed lagoon, which depending upon the amount of rainfall, becomes a saltwater or freshwater lake. The total area of coral reefs (to 100 m) in the territory is approximately 296 km². The limited shallow water coral reef habitats consist primarily of fringing coral reefs, a few offshore banks, and two atolls.
Many species of Indo-Pacific corals, other invertebrates, and fishes are members of the American Samoa coral reef ecosystem. Although the corals have largely recovered from a number of natural disturbances in recent years, including a major crown-of-thorns starfish invasion, several bleaching events, and powerful damaging hurricanes, the ecosystem cannot be considered healthy. Harmful fishing practices, coral bleaching, and coral disease have taken their toll. American Samoa's high population growth rate contributed to extensive coastal disruptions, fishing pressure, loss of wetlands, soil erosion and coastal sedimentation, solid and hazardous waste disposal, and pollution.
Samoa location map
State of The Reefs report (SOTR)
The State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely Associated States: 2008.
The State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely Associated States: 2005.
The State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely Associated States: 2002.
Metadata, Data and Publications search in CoRIS
Search the CoRIS Data & Publications Section for American Samoa metadata, data and publications
You may also enter the name of any atoll, island or reef, uch as "Aunu'u", "Ofu", "Olosega", "Ta'u", "Rose Atoll", or "Swains Island" in the CoRIS Data & Publications Section Quick Search field and press the "Submit" button.
Reef Base Coral Bleaching Reports
Select "Micronesia" in the Region window and "American Samoa" in the Country window
Other Data & Information
National Park of American Samoa
Natural History Guide to American Samoa
Fishes of American Samoa
Corals of American Samoa
Current time in American Samoa
Shallow-Water Benthic Habitats of American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary (FBNMS) GIS Data Archive
Pacific Islands Benthic Habitat Mapping Center
Near-real-time Data
Weather forecast
Weather observations
Satellite imagery
Pago Pago weather
CREI Moored Instruments with telemetry
NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch Program
NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch: Satellite coral bleaching monitoring
Coral Reef Watch Coral Bleaching Indices
Key Documents
Executive orders, Secretarial Orders, and Congressional Acts
American Samoa Coral Reef Initiative
American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency
Links to Samoan, Pacific, Archaeological and Historic Preservation Websites
American Samoa: Local Action Strategy
Coral Reef Ecosystem Monitoring Report for American Samoa: 2002-2006
Proceedings of the American Samoa Coral Reef Fishery Workshop
Biogeographic Assessment of the Samoan Archipelago
Geologic setting and ecological functioning of coral reefs in American Samoa
Education and Outreach
DOI Office of Insular Affairs
Welcome to American Samoa
Chronology and leadership of American Samoa
American Samoa photographs
Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary
American Samoa history and general information
Bibliography of Education Materials (General for Coral refs)
Marine Protected Areas/Marine Managed Areas
National Marine Fisheries Service Inventory of Marine Managed Areas
Report on the Status of Marine Protected Areas in Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States. Volume 1: Marine Protected Areas Managed by U.S. States, Territories, and Commonwealths. NOAA Technical Memorandum CRCP 2 February 2007
Marine Protected Areas of the United States Home Page
The Marine Protected Areas Inventory
Federal MPA Legislation
Marine Federal Areas Fact Sheet
Executive order 13158: Marine Protected Areas
MPA Virtual Library
Wetlands in American Samoa
Description of Wetlands in American Samoa by Richard D.Volk
Alega Fish Reserve
Alofau
Amaua and Auto
American Samoa Sea Turtles and Marine Mammal Sanctuary
Aua
Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Fagatele Bay 2007 Condition Report
Leone Pala
Marine Invertebrates of the national parks of American Samoa
Masausi
National Park of American Samoa
Nu'uuli Pala
Ofu Vaoto Marine Park
Poloa
Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge
Vaota Territorial Marine Park
Vatia
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