The Samoan Islands have experienced >2 million years of volcanism, culminating in
historic eruptions at both the east and western ends of the chain including a major
lava-producing episode on the island of Savai'i from AD 1905-1911. Upolu in Western
Samoa has several areas mapped as early Holocene in age (>5 ka), but here we present
new evidence for fresh volcanic landforms and deposits, supported by a radiocarbon
date of 1915 +/- 65 yrs B.P., giving a maximum age to a phreatomagmatic tuff cone
offshore of Cape Tapaga, east Upolu. In addition, we report on a parallel investigation
of the oral traditions of communities surrounding fresh volcanic landforms that may
reflect distant "volcanic memories" passed down over generations. To accommodate Samoan
cultural structures, oral traditional knowledge was sought through semi-structured
interviews with small groups (3-4) or individuals. Samoan facilitators focused on
high-ranking and traditionally respected (particularly elderly) individuals for explanations
of the origins of local features, including their genesis, use and any related geo-hazards.
Areas targeted were those where young eruptions (<3500 yr BP) were suspected from
geological mapping. In stark contrast to communities in Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea
or the Solomon Islands, the village communities show extremely limited knowledge of
their volcanic heritage. Youthful volcanic landforms are often not recognised as such
and appear to play little role in everyday life. Few, if any, legends are attached
to any volcanic feature. Instead, oral traditions deal primarily with the origins
of Samoans (overlain by strong Christian teachings), and past disputes/battles and
wrongdoings between tribes/neighbours. The only exceptions to this were identified
in legends from East Upolu, where offshore islands (tuff cones) are associated with
late Holocene explosive phreatomagmatic volcanism. Maps drawn by individuals and groups
interviewed, highlighted the resources and landscapes important in their lives. The
majority of these were prepared as 3D oblique-view sketches, rather than plan-views,
showing little in common with typical hazard maps used in the area. In addition, maps
were commonly restricted strictly to boundaries of local communities, ignoring major
features (such as fresh volcanic cones) that were in the territory of "next door"
villages. These perspectives need to be focused upon in future iterations of hazard
maps and hazard-education programmes for Samoa and similar Polynesian communities.
(C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
