﻿Vol. 66.~\ VOLCA.NO OF MATAVANTJ IN SAY All. 625 



it with fresh sheets of lava ; at other times, the surface frequently 

 floated up and was raised by the intrusion of fresh lava under- 

 neath, so that what had previously been the course of the valley 

 now became the highest part of the field. Mr. Williams thinks 

 that the lava must be in some places 400 feet thick. 



In the beginning of September 1906 the lava-flows near the 

 seacoast extended considerably farther eastwards, probably a mile. 

 The mouth of the river was blocked, and the village of Sataputu, 

 including a Catholic Church and Mission House, was overwhelmed. 

 The lagoon, which was in places 30 feet deep, was filled up, the 

 passage into it was blocked, and the coast-line pushed seawards 

 about 300 feet. The total length of sea-front covered at different 

 times by the lava was nearly 9 miles ; and, from the westernmost 

 point inland near Olonono to Sataputu the easternmost, not less 

 than 15 miles. 



On August 7th, 1908, Mr. Williams noted that the lava continued 

 to run strongly into the sea, having only stopped for one day ; it 

 directed its course chiefly towards Le Ala Tele, in the former 

 position of Toapaipai, and the promontory of Asuisui. 



< Tidal 'Waves. 



It is interesting to note that several so-called ' tidal ' waves have 

 occurred during the eruption. The following were noticed at 

 Matautu by Amtmann Williams : — 



November 28th, 1906 5.30 p.m. 



June 8th, 1907 at noon. 



June 19th, 1907 3 a.m. 



June 27th, 1907 between 6 & 7 p.m. 



Julv 9th, 1907 6.45 p.m. 



July 25th, 1907 11a.m. 



The tide usually rises and falls about 4 feet at Matautu. Most 

 of these waves did not exceed 6 to 8 feet in height, and as many 

 of them occurred at low or half- tide, and there was no heavy sea 

 on at the time, little damage was done, although in several cases the 

 main road of the town was flooded. The largest and most important 

 of the series was that on Sunday, October 6th, 1907, about 5.30 p.m. 

 It was just at the time of high water, but the sea was smooth. The 

 wave was 10 or 12 feet high : it came from the north-east round the 

 lava-point, as in fact the others had done, and at the Deutsche 

 Handels & Plantagen Gesellschaft's place a boat-house was wrecked, 

 a buggy in it smashed, and several boats were damaged; while, 

 at a house a few score yards off, a 400-gallon tank of water was 

 lifted bodily from its foundation and carried across the road. The 

 wave appears to have spent itself here and, it was thought, probably 

 rebounded out to sea. No damage was done at the Government 

 Offices, 150 yards distant, nor in either direction along the coast. 



The ;wave was noticed, but of smaller size, in some of the other 

 islands. At Apia it had a height of only 1 or 2 feet. It was 

 probably connected with the lava falling into the sea, but the exact 

 cause was uncertain. Possibly it was due to a steam-explosion. 



