On The Rocks

Despite the occasional typhoon or active volcano, Samoa is home to some of the most stunning sites of natural beauty on the planet. Rock samples tested with radiometric technology confirm Samoa to be roughly five million years old.

Scientists have confirmed that Samoa is indeed on the path of a volcanic “hot spot.” The Samoan archipelago was born out of an ancient hot spot–a stationary, deep-seated mantle plume that slowly rises from within the Earth to create a seamount. As the tectonic plates move, volcanic structures migrate along the path of the plate motion and create a string of seamounts that can rise above the surface of the ocean. When they do, the result is tropical paradise: Samoa.

Volcanoes also exist and erupt entirely underwater. A recently discovered and continuously growing undersea
volcano near American Samoa has been dubbed Eel City. Hundreds, if not thousands, of foot-long eels can be found swimming in the nooks and crannies of the newly formed lava. Though unsure why the eels congregate there, scientists suspect they may be feeding on microbial life in the warm waters of this
hydrothermal vent.



Samoa is surrounded by beautiful water. The island has some of the greatest marine biodiversity on the planet. Shored up by massive coral heads, it is home to a seemingly endless variety of coral species thriving in turquoise and azure blue water. Home to vibrant schools of fish and pods of whales, Samoa’s waters also host a thriving population of sea worms. From the deep blue depths, islanders harvest the palolo worm, a favored delicacy. During breeding time in October and November, the worm releases its sexual organs into the water. These pink and blue spaghetti-like strands wriggle around, releasing eggs and sperm for the creation of new worms–if Samoans don’t scoop them up first! Known as the caviar of the Pacific, palolo worms are eaten raw, sautéed or deep-fried.

Above ground, there’s something special about living on a volcano. For Samoans, life depends on a delicate balance of making plans, going about daily activities, building a life for oneself, and always keeping in mind that things could go up in smoke. A volcano is truly a portal into the inner Earth–it is an opening, or rupture in the Earth’s crust, through which the deepest inner rumblings of the planet can vent. Samoans, however, live in harmony with the threat of potential volcanic activity.
Several unique rock formations can be found on the island and make for great day-trip destinations. The Piula Cave Pool is crystal clear–take a dive and swim your way through gorgeous natural cave formations to exit on the other side. Waterfalls abound. The Papapapaitai Falls plummets 500 feet into a volcanic crater in the midst of a rainforest. The Taga Blow Holes are also spectacular. When waves crash onto the shore, surging plumes of water are forced through the lava tubes to form some of the most breathtaking blowholes in the Pacific. Samoa is also a surfer’s paradise, with epic waves off the north coasts in summer and the south coasts
in winter.

Samoa has two distinct seasons: the rainy season from November through April, and the dry season that runs from May to October. Average annual temperatures range from the mid-70s to low-80s. Lush, dense rainforest blankets the volcanic mountains and is a sanctuary to a variety of flora and fauna: slow-growing hardwoods, giant fern trees and numerous orchid species. Flying foxes, also known as fruit bats, are key pollinators that dominate the rain forests of Samoa. Samoa is also a destination for seabirds such as boobies, frigatebirds and shearwaters.

In time, Samoa and the related islands will erode and sink back into the ocean. Waves will wash away the volcanic rock and rivers will gouge out the terrain. Due to the high density of the volcanic rock itself, the islands will gradually sink back to the ocean floor, and a fresh volcano will emerge in the fullness of time to replenish the Earth’s beauty and continue the natural cycle of renewal.