Vaiʻava Strait

Coordinates: 14°14′19″S 170°40′17″W / 14.2386°S 170.6713°W / -14.2386; -170.6713
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Vaiʻava Strait
Vaiʻava Strait National Natural Landmark
Vaiʻava Strait is located in central American Samoa
Vaiʻava Strait
Vaiʻava Strait is located in American Samoa
Vaiʻava Strait
Vaiʻava Strait (American Samoa)
LocationAmerican Samoa
Nearest cityVatia
Coordinates14°14′19″S 170°40′17″W / 14.2386°S 170.6713°W / -14.2386; -170.6713
Area250 acres (100 ha)
Designated1972
Administered byU.S. National Park Service

Vaiʻava Strait (Samoan: Vāinuʻu o Vaiʻava) is a narrow strait in Vatia, American Samoa which separates the 420-foot-high (130 m) Pola Island (Cock's Comb) from Polauta Ridge on adjacent Tutuila Island. The strait is a good example of cliffs formed by the erosional forces of waves on volcanic rock. The lands surrounding the strait are held communally. A 250-acre (100 ha) area surrounding the strait was designated a U.S. National Natural Landmark in 1972.[1] Pola-Uta is connected to the village of Vatia on Tutuila Island. Pola Tai is a 400-foot (120 m) cliff that is an important nesting area for the fuaʻō (brown booby) and tavaʻe (white tailored tropic bird). Hunting of brown boobies, known as the Aʻega o le Pola, was a tradition carried out by Vatians in the past. Pola Tai includes Matalia Point, Cockscomb Point and Polauta Ridge.[2][3]

It is located on the north coast of Tutuila Island, on the northwestern side of the village of Vatia. It is a designated 250 acres (100 ha) National Natural Landmark, but also a part of the National Park of American Samoa. Erosion by the sea has sculpted deep cliffs and sea arches in the rocks of a huge volcanic plug (Pola Island). The 420 feet (130 m) cliffs and rock top are important nesting and resting areas for several seabird species.[4]

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References[edit]

  1. ^ "Vaiʻava Strait". nps.gov. National Park Service.
  2. ^ Harris, Ann G. and Esther Tuttle (2004). Geology of National Parks: Volume 2. Kendall Hunt. Page 609. ISBN 9780787299705.
  3. ^ Faiʻivae, Alex Godinet (2018). Ole Manuō o Tala Tuʻu Ma Fisaga o Tala Ave. Amerika Samoa Humanities Council. Page 66. ISBN 9781546229070.
  4. ^ Goldin, Meryl Rose (2002). Field Guide to the Samoan Archipelago: Fish, Wildlife, and Protected Areas. Bess Press. Page 284. ISBN 9781573061117.

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