Vaiʻava Strait
| Vaiʻava Strait | |
|---|---|
 Vaiʻava Strait National Natural Landmark | |
  Map of American Samoa | |
| Location | American Samoa |
| Nearest city | Vatia |
| Coordinates | 14°14′19″S 170°40′17″W / 14.2386°S 170.6713°WCoordinates: 14°14′19″S 170°40′17″W / 14.2386°S 170.6713°W |
| Area | 250 acres (100 ha) |
| Designated | 1972 |
| Administered by | U.S. National Park Service |
Vaiʻava Strait (Samoan: Vāinuʻu o Vaiʻava) is the name of a narrow strait located in Vatia, American Samoa. It is a 250 acres (100 ha) National Natural Landmark. The strait is a great example of cliffs formed by waves (via erosion) on volcanic rock. The strait consists of communal lands. It was designated as a U.S. National Natural Landmark in 1972.[1] Vai'ava Strait separates the 420 feet (130 m) high Pola Tai Island (Cock's Comb) from Polauta Ridge. Pola-Uta is connected to the village of Vatia on Tutuila Island. Pola Tai is a 400 feet (120 m) cliff that is an important nesting area for the fua'ō (brown booby) and tava'e (White tailored tropic bird). Hunting of brown boobies, known as the A'ega 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]
Gallery[]
Vai'ava Strait, 1907
Eastern point of Vatia Bay
Polauta Ridge and Pola Island
See also[]
References[]
- ^ "Vai'ava Strait". nps.gov. National Park Service.
- ^ Harris, Ann G. and Esther Tuttle (2004). Geology of National Parks: Volume 2. Kendall Hunt. Page 609. ISBN 9780787299705.
- ^ Fai’ivae, Alex Godinet (2018). Ole Manuō o Tala Tu’u Ma Fisaga o Tala Ave. Amerika Samoa Humanities Council. Page 66. ISBN 9781546229070.
- ^ Goldin, Meryl Rose (2002). Field Guide to the Samoan Archipelago: Fish, Wildlife, and Protected Areas. Bess Press. Page 284. ISBN 9781573061117.
External links[]
- Vai'ava Strait National Park Service
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- National Natural Landmarks in American Samoa
- American Samoa geography stubs