Matafao Peak

Matafao Peak (Samoan: Fa’asi’usi’uga o Matafao) is a mountain in American Samoa, on the island of Tutuila.^[1][2] With an elevation of 653 metres (2,142 ft), it is the highest peak on Tutuila Island.^[3][4][5] The mountain, like Rainmaker Mountain across Pago Pago Harbor, is a remnant of a volcanic plug and is part of the volcanic origins of the island. The mountain can be hiked from the high point of the Pago Pago-to-Fagasa Road. It is designated a National Natural Landmark above the 492-foot (150 m) level,^[6] an area known as Matafao Peak National Natural Landmark.

Matafao Peak
Highest point
Elevation	653 m (2,142 ft)
Prominence	653 m (2,142 ft)
Coordinates	14°17′41.64″S 170°42′7.92″W
Geography
Matafao Peak American Samoa

The village of Fagatogo is located at the foot of Mount Matafao.^[7]

Etymology

The name “Matafao” is said to refer to the fact that, from its peak, in fair weather, one can see as far as Mount Fao on Upolu Island.^[8] The name of the mountain, Matafao, is derived from the Samoan language and translates into English as “Spear Head".^[9]

Flora

Matafao Mountain is predominantly covered with montane scrub vegetation. The mountain hosts a diverse range of plant species, including Dipteris conjugata, Dicranopteris linearis, Machaerina falcata, Freycinetia storckii, and Davallia epiphylla. Among these, Dipteris, a fern with leaves resembling those of Tacca, is notably rare in the Samoan Islands and has been recorded only on Mount Matafao and Rainmaker Mountain. In contrast, Dicranopteris and Davallia are more common across the islands. Machaerina is a large sedge, while Freycinetia is a coarse-leaved climbing or scrambling vine also found in the cloud forests of Taʻū Island. The mountain also supports a variety of tree species, including Pandanus reineckei, Rapanea myricifolia, Syzygium brevifolium, Astronidium, Spiraeanthemum samoense, Alstonia godeffroyi, Eurya japonica, and Weinmannia affinis. Remarkably, nearly half of the characteristic tree species on Mount Matafao are endemic to Samoa. Two species, Astronidium and Cyrtandra geminata, are entirely restricted to the trachyte plugs of Tutuila Island, highlighting the ecological and conservation significance of Mount Matafao.^[10][11]

Gallery

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See also

• List of National Natural Landmarks in American Samoa

References

1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Matafao Peak
2. "Matafao Peak". Retrieved 13 April 2017.
3. Clayville, Melinda (2021). Explore American Samoa: The Complete Guide to Tutuila, Aunu'u, and Manu'a Islands. Page 53. ISBN 9798556052970.
4. Schyma, Rosemarie (2013). Südsee. DuMont Reiseverlag. Page 260. ISBN 9783770176946.
5. Hills, J.W. (2010). O upu muamua i le Tala i le Lalolagi mo e ua faatoa a'oa'oina u lea mataupu: Elementary Geography. Nabu Press. Page 59. ISBN 9781147952896.
6. Swaney, Deanna (1994). Samoa: Western & American Samoa: a Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit. Lonely Planet Publications. Pages 176-177. ISBN 9780864422255.
7. Krämer, Augustin (1994). The Samoa Islands: Constitution, pedigrees and traditions. University of Hawaiʻi Press. Page 440. ISBN 9780824816339.
8. Krämer, Augustin (2000). The Samoa Islands. University of Hawaii Press. Page 436. ISBN 9780824822194.
9. Churchill, W. (1913). "Geographical Nomenclature of American Samoa". Bulletin of the American Geographical Society, 45(3), page 192. Retrieved on December 6, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.2307/199273.
10. Whistler, W. Arthur (April 1980): “The Vegetation of Eastern Samoa”. Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden. Pages 124-125 and 128. Retrieved on November 30, 2024, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349619846_The_Vegetation_of_Eastern_Samoa
11. Whistler, W. Arthur (2002). The Samoan Rainforest: A Guide to the Vegetation of the Samoan Archipelago. Isle Botanica. ISBN 9780964542631.