52 
The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. [April 
western end a well-marked volcano, with well-preserved crater in Tofua 
(2,195 ft., 669 m.), but its eastern part is more dissected. It is thus broadly 
comparable in form and state of erosion with Maui. Tutuila appears to be 
still more dissected, and may perhaps be compared to Oahu. The centre 
of activity has shifted in Western Samoa from the east-south-east to the 
west-north-west, but in the Hawaiian Islands from the north-west to the 
south-east. 
The Historic Volcanoes. 
Mauga Afi (about 1760). 
According to von Bulow and Tempest Anderson,* * * § the Samoans preserve 
a tradition of eruptions “ about one hundred and fifty years ago ” (a.d. 1760) 
which gave rise to a rugged and very extensive lava-field, called 0 le Mu,f 
between the villages of Asau and Aopo, on the north side of Savaii. This 
field is said to be more extensive than that recently created by the Matavanu 
eruptions, but is shown on the German Admiralty chart with a length of 
eight miles and a half, and a breadth of only one mile and a half. It is still 
comparatively unaltered, preserving the “ wrinkled, knobbed, ropy, and 
tapestiy-like folds, and the general characteristics of the £ pahoehoe ’ type 
of lava-flow ” (Jensen), and is apparently free of bush, which is rather 
surprising in view of the growth that has taken place already on the 
Matavanu lavas. Jensen believes the flows came from Mauga Afi,t a crater 
5,249 ft. (1,600 m.) high, on the western slopes of the main ridge of the 
island, and ascribes to the same source a flow on the southern side of the 
ridge. 
Aopo was surrounded and partially destroyed by these eruptions, and 
other villages were totally destroyed. The present village of Aopo occupies 
what is known in Hawaii as a kipuka, an area which a lava-stream has 
flowed around and left as an island.§ Its water-supply was interfered with 
by the lava-flows, and it is now dependent upon tanks. 
Friedlander|| describes the cone of Mauga Afi as a fairly steep slag cone, 
100 m. (328 ft.) high, with an elliptical crater, elongated east and west, 
70 m. (230 ft.) deep, and with slopes of 60° The western margin of the 
crater is broken, and here the lava flowed out in a westerly direction, 
turning to the north after a short distance. 
Manna (1866). 
A submarine eruption took place between the islands of Olosega and 
Tau in 1866, but few details have been recorded. Coleman Phillips 
states that on the 12tli September dense masses of smoke arose from the 
sea and continued until the middle of November. The outbreak was 
* Tempest Anderson has acknowledged his indebtedness to Mr. R. Williams, 
Amtmann of Savaii during the German regime, and Deputy Administrator during the 
New Zealand military occupation, not only for this but for much information in regard 
to Matavanu. I also have to thank Mr. Williams for allowing me access to his official 
reports on the progress of the Matavanu eruptions. 
f O le Mu means “ the burnt.” 
+ Mauga (pronounced maunga) is the same word as the Hawaiian mauna and the 
Maori maunga, meaning “ mountain.” Afi means “ fire.” 
§ Dr. Henry S. Washington informs me that in Sicily such an area is known as a 
dagald. Geologically it is a kind of inlier, but a distinct name seems desirable. 
|| I have had access only to a manuscript translation of Friedlander’s paper 
prepared by the late Mr. H. Neffgen, of Apia, a copy of which I owe to the kindness 
of Colonel Tate, Administrator of Western Samoa. 
