Mauga Afi

Mauna Afi is a volcanic mountain on the island of Savai'i in Samoa.[1] Its name means Burning Mountain or Mountain of Fire, from the Samoan language mauga (mountain) and afi (fire).

The most recent eruption of Mauga Afi was around 1725.

The island of Savai'i consists of a massive shield volcano and is still volcanically active. Other volcanoes on Savai'i include Mt Silisili, the highest mountain in Samoa and Mt Matavanu. The eruption of Mt Matavanu (1905–1911) destroyed villages on the central north coast of Savai'i which can be seen by the lava fields in Saleaula village.

In Samoan mythology the god of earthquakes is Mafui'e. Another mythical figure Ti'iti'i tricked the earthquake god so that Samoans could have fire to cook their food. Samoans well understood the connection between volcanic eruptions/earthquakes and tsunamis, as shown by the ancient term for tsunami - galuafi, or "wave of fire/volcano".

References
  1. W. Arthur Whistler "Vegetation of the Montane Region of Savai'i, Western Samoa" , p.1, Pacific Science (1978), vol. 32, no. 1
  • "Savai'i". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution.


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