NOAA CoRIS - Regional Portal

American Samoa

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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