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Tula, American Samoa

Tula
Village
Tula is located in American Samoa
Tula
Tula
Location in American Samoa
Coordinates: 14°15′10″S 170°33′56″W / 14.25278°S 170.56556°W / -14.25278; -170.56556
Country United States
Territory American Samoa
CountyVaifanua
Area
 • Land0.51 sq mi (1.3 km2)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
308
 • Density794.5/sq mi (306.8/km2)

Tula is a village in the Eastern District of Tutuila Island in American Samoa. Tula is located in Vaifanua County and had a population of 405 as of the 2010 U.S. Census.[1]

Tula is located on Cape Matātula. It is the site of the former upland ridge settlement of Lefutu (AS-21-002).[2] Cape Matatula, which is the northeastern point of Tutuila Island, consists of high rocks that project some distance seaward, forming a prominent headland. The cape's rugged terrain and protruding rocks make it a notable geographical feature.[3]

Geography

Tula is the easternmost village on Tutuila Island,[4][5] and is situated on the rugged northeast cape of Matātula.[6] It is home to wide, white sand beaches and a prehistoric quarry. The Samoa Observatory, established in 1974 by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), sits on Cape Matātula just outside the village of Tula.[7] NASA's Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (AGAGE) measures more than 40 trace gases involved in stratospheric ozone depletion, climate change, and air quality at the observatory.[8]

Cape Matā'ula and the nearby village of Onenoa feature small plantations, high cliffs, and forested slopes.[9]

Geology

Tula is closely associated with the geological features of the Olomoana Volcano. The volcanic rocks in this region consist predominantly of olivine basalts, which are geographically limited in extent. Geological studies suggest that these formations resulted from volcanic activity on the northeast rift of the nearby Ālōfau Volcano during the final stages of Pliocene volcanic activity on the island. Evidence of this contemporaneous activity includes the overlapping of Ālōfau volcanic flows on the western slope of the Olomoana volcanic cone. The Olomoana volcanic system spans approximately 2.4 square kilometers and dominates the landscape surrounding the peak near Tula. Notable geological features include several intrusive volcanic plugs, crater fills, and cinder cones, prominently exposed along the eastern coastline. Cape Matatula, within the vicinity of Tula, is recognized as the largest intrusive volcanic plug in the area. This region is characterized by interbedded flows and palagonitized vitric tuffs. Additionally, the Lefulufulu'a trachyte plug intrudes through these layers, adding to the complex geological history of the area. A large, partially exhumed cinder cone is visible in the stream bed that drains towards Tula, offering further insight into the region's volcanic heritage.[10]

Demographics

Year Population[11]
2020 308
2010 405
2000 413
1990 423
1980 347
1970 329
1960 340
1950 261
1940 104
1930 128

History

Tula was one of the first settlements on Tutuila, having been settled by 600 BCE.[12][13] Numerous ancient artifacts have been discovered at the prehistoric quarry near the town.[14]

Notable people

Composer and radio host Iosefa Salanoa Solatoa (1925-1985) was born and raised in Tula. He composed one of the most popular songs in the Samoan Islands, “Le Eleele ua le Malie i Vai”, and later became President of the Samoan Civic Association of Hawai’i.[15]

References

  1. ^ Census of population and housing (2000): American Samoa Summary Social, Economic, and Housing Characteristics (2000). DIANE Publishing. Pages 13 and 147. ISBN 9781428985490.
  2. ^ Krämer, Augustin (2000). The Samoa Islands. University of Hawaii Press. Pages 497-498 and 432. ISBN 9780824822194.
  3. ^ U.S. Defense Mapping Agency (1977). "Sailing Directions for the Pacific Islands: Volume 3, the South-central Groups". U.S. Department of Defense. Page 169.
  4. ^ Lonely Planet (1990). Samoa: Western & American Samoa. Lonely Planet Publications. Page 148. ISBN 9780864420787.
  5. ^ Swaney, Deanna (1994). Samoa: Western & American Samoa: a Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit. Lonely Planet Publications. Page 178. ISBN 9780864422255.
  6. ^ Krämer, Augustin (2000). The Samoa Islands: An Outline of a Monograph With Particular Consideration of German Samoa. University of Hawaii Press. Page 432. ISBN 9780824822194.
  7. ^ Stanley, David (2004). Moon Handbooks South Pacific. Page 479. ISBN 9781566914116.
  8. ^ "Cape Matatula". Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment. NASA. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  9. ^ Swaney, Deanna (1994). Samoa: Western & American Samoa: a Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit. Lonely Planet Publications. Page 178. ISBN 9780864422255.
  10. ^ Keating, Barbara H. and Barrie R. Bolton (2012). Geology and Offshore Mineral Resources of the Central Pacific Basin. Springer New York. Page 152. ISBN 9781461228967.
  11. ^ "American Samoa Statistical Yearbook 2016" (PDF). American Samoa Department of Commerce.
  12. ^ Lonely Planet (1990). Samoa: Western & American Samoa. Lonely Planet Publications. Page 135. ISBN 9780864420787.
  13. ^ Stanley, David (1999). Moon Handbooks Tonga-Samoa. Moon Travel Handbooks. Page 163. ISBN 9781566911740.
  14. ^ Murrow, Tony and Malama Meleisea (2000). Samoa: Pacific Pride. Pasifika Press. Page 42. ISBN 9780908597192.
  15. ^ Sunia, Fofō Iosefa Fiti (2001). Puputoa: Host of Heroes - A record of the history makers in the First Century of American Samoa, 1900-2000. Suva, Fiji: Oceania Printers. Pages 133-134. ISBN 9829036022.
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