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The earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 10km, making it susceptible to aftershocks.
An unfortunate earthquake struck the Pacific island nation of Samoa in the South Pacific Ocean on Friday, July 25, 2025. It was 6.6 on the scale of how bad an earthquake was.
The quakes struck at a depth of 314 kilometers beneath the Earth’s surface, about 440 kilometers from the southwestern coast of Samoa. Thankfully, there are no news of any casualties or infrastructure damage after the earthquake.
The Samoa Meteorological Services and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre and local authorities have been quick to provide the assurance that the seismic event does not present any immediate threat to the public. The quake was felt along the remote southwestern coast of Samoa, but because the epicenter was deep in the earth, its impact on land was limited. One staff member of the Samoa Observer newspaper said they didn’t notice the earthquake at all – an indication of how the impact of the actual tremor varied across the island.
The island nation is located in the “Ring of Fire,” which is susceptible to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Earthquakes and tsunamis are a fact of life in the region, though most hit sparsely populated regions. So while natural disasters do come to Japan pretty regular they don’t actually do much damage to locals, or even to tourists in the region. The Samoan tourist trade has had its share of trials and tribulations in the past, particularly after the earthquake-induced 2009 tsunami. 192 people died at the event, tourism was initially down for a while. The island’s tourism industry has bounced back, however, and travelers are once again visiting to enjoy its beautiful beaches, tropical rainforests and rich culture.
While Samoa’s tourism industry books may be tested in the immediate aftermath of fear of natural disasters traveling outside of their regions recent history, whether the resilience Samoa has consistently shown will continue to propel the South Pacific nation remains to be seen. Visitors should continue to check safety and travel advisories prior to planning a trip. For the Samoa land people Instead, Samoa is as it ever was: a breathtaking and culturally rich paradise that should always be on your must-visit list if you appreciate the beauty and bliss that the Pacific offers.
While the recent earthquake is unlikely to severely affect tourism in Samoa, it serves as a reminder of the island’s vulnerability to natural disasters. Many tourists are drawn to the South Pacific’s remote islands for their beauty and tranquility, but some may hesitate due to concerns about safety in the event of a natural disaster. Despite the risks, Samoa’s government and emergency services are highly prepared for such events, ensuring the safety and well-being of residents and visitors. The local authorities’ efficient response to the July 25 earthquake has strengthened confidence in the island’s resilience.
For tourists, Samoa’s natural beauty and the hospitality of its people continue to make it a sought-after destination.
The earthquake on 25th July was a stark reminder of the area’s shaky nature, but it has not deterred tourists from visiting Samoa. While travelers can’t control everything, they can take steps to minimize potential threats and maximize enjoyment of Samoa, from its stunning beaches to its friendly culture, without putting a wrench in their plans.
Tourism is still a mainstay of Samoa’s economy with the necessary precautions in place to avoid any potential spread of the coronavirus, visitors can enjoy the unique appeal of this tropical paradise in the South Pacific.
West of Macquarie is subantarctic island in the south-western Pacific Ocean, about halfway between New Zealand and Antarctica.
Shallow earthquakes are generally more dangerous than deep earthquakes. This is because the seismic waves from shallow earthquakes have a shorter distance to travel to the surface, resulting in stronger ground shaking and potentially more damage to structures and greater casualties.
Major shallow earthquakes on the Macquarie Ridge in the past 100 years have exposed two seismic gaps, one centred on Macquarie Island. The Macquarie Ridge was created by crustal shortening due to oblique convergence of oceanic crust of the Pacific and Australian Plates.
Computed earthquake mechanisms are either strike-slip or thrust. Earthquake hazard estimates for the island, such as the values of the 475 year hazard coefficient in the 2008 Australian Loading Code, do not take account of this gap, based as they are on a purely random distribution of earthquakes. A major gap-filling earthquake could have serious consequences for both the residents and environment of Macquarie Island.
The impact of a major (M>=7) close earthquake on the island would be to cause widespread landslides, and water and power supply disruption if not building damage. Damage risk is heightened by the possibility, perhaps 50:50, of a local tsunami being generated, depending only on the mechanism of the earthquake. The risk is heightened for the next few decades, but reverts to the computed long term value at the end of this period of heightened activity. Coping with time varying hazard is a novel but critical problem.