Samoan Islands 10-foot tsunami U.S. Geological Survey

The American Samoa tsunami depicts the massive flooding and destruction in the region as Tonga, Samoa, and American Samoa death tolls rise.An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.9 struck in the Samoan Islands region Tuesday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The temblor generated a nearly 10-foot (3-meter) tsunami — measured from crest to trough — according to preliminary data, said Chip McCreery, the director of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Ewa Beach, Hawaii.

In Pago Pago, the capital of American Samoa, sea waters surged about 100 yards inland before receding, leaving some cars stuck in mud and causing electricity outages.

In Samoa, the capital, Apia, appeared largely unharmed. But waves ripped up resorts and small villages in other, more remote areas, residents said.

A tsunami watch was issued for islands farther from the epicenter, including Hawaii and Papua New Guinea.Officials were determining whether the tsunami could reach Hawaii, the center said.

Tsunami warnings were issued for a number of South Pacific islands, including Fiji and Tonga, as well as New Zealand, but the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later canceled the tsunami warnings after the waves had passed.

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