Editing Pago Pago, American Samoa (section)

===Natural hazards===
Pago Pago is vulnerable to natural and man-made disasters. Vulnerabilities include heavy storms, flooding, [[tsunami]]s, mudslides, and [[earthquake]]s. American Samoa has experienced several [[cyclone]]s and tropical storms, which also increase risks of rock slides and floodings.<ref>Corlew, Kati (2015). ''Sauniuniga mo Puapuaga ma Suiga o le Tau i Amerika Sāmoa'' (in [[Samoan language]]). East-West Center. Pages 3-5. {{ISBN|9780866382601}}.</ref>

The capital city is situated at the head of [[Pago Pago Harbor]] in a sheltered area that has been described as relatively safe during [[hurricane]]s.<ref name="Rauzon, Mark J. 2016 Page 7"/>'

In the past century, Pago Pago has experienced over 50 minor tsunamis. The earliest and most impactful tsunami before the [[2009 Samoa earthquake and tsunami]] occurred in 1917. This event was triggered by a magnitude 8.3 earthquake at the outer border of the northern end of the [[Tonga Trench]], approximately 200&nbsp;km off the Tutuila coast. The initial wave, reaching a height of about 3 m., resulted in the destruction of numerous houses and two churches. No human casualties were reported. Another notable event was the tsunami associated with the [[1960 Valdivia earthquake]]. While waves in the head of Pago Pago Bay reached a maximum height of 5 m., they caused minimal damage to several houses, with no reported casualties. The most destructive tsunami in Pago Pago's recorded history took place in 2009. Studies indicate that during this incident, wave amplification occurred in the Pago Pago Bay due to its long and narrow morphology. Waves that measured approximately 1 m. at the mouth of Pago Pago Bay surged to a maximum height of 7 m. at the head of Pago Pago Bay. The resulting inundation caused extensive damage in Pago Pago Harbor, extending up to 500 m. inland, and reaching a maximum run-up of 8 m., leading to 34 casualties across Tutuila Island.<ref>Brieuc Riou, Eric Chaumillon, Jean-Luc Schneider, Thierry Corrège, Catherine Chagué. “The sediment-fill of Pago Pago Bay (Tutuila Island, American Samoa): New insights on the sediment record of past tsunamis.” Sedimentology, Blackwell Publishing, In press, 10.1111/sed.12574. hal-02422133. Retrieved on January 19, 2024, from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/sed.12574</ref>