Rainmaker Mountain (also known as Mount Pioa[1][2]) is the name of a mountain located near Pago Pago, American Samoa on Tutuila Island. Rainmaker Mountain traps rain clouds and gives Pago Pago the highest annual rainfall of any harbor. [3][4][5] The average annual rainfall on the mountain is around 200 inches (510 cm).[6] It has a three-pronged summit. Rainmaker Mountain and its base were designated a National Natural Landmark in 1972 due to the slopes’ tropical vegetation.[7][8]
| Rainmaker Mountain | |
|---|---|
 Rainmaker Mountain from Pago Pago Harbor | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 523 m (1,716 ft) |
| Coordinates | 14°16′35″S 170°39′10″W / 14.27639°S 170.65278°W |
| Geography | |
 | |
| Location | Tutuila Island in American Samoa |
| Designated | 1972 |
Rainmaker Mountain is one of several giant volcanic mountains that created Tutuila Island. It dominates the scene from nearly every point in Pago Pago Harbor. It comprises three mountain peaks: North Pioa, South Pioa, and Sinapioa. The peaks range in elevation from 1,619 feet (493 m) to 1,718 feet (524 m). The 170-acre (69 ha) designated landmark area occurs above the 800-acre (320 ha) contour line. Several endemic species are present only here and on Matafao Peak, the highest point on Tutuila.[9]
Rainmaker Mountain, famous in Samoan legend and lore, is also geologically important as an example of a volcanic plug (quartz trachyte). The upper slopes are montane rainforest and the crest is montane scrub. [10]
The mountain is a volcanic feature known as a trachyte plug, a volcanic intrusion made of extrusive igneous rocks having alkali feldspar and minor mafic minerals as the main components and a fine-grained, generally porphyritic texture.
A closeup of the mountain is visible up Rainmaker Pass.[11]
Rainmaker Hotel was a hotel at the port entrance under the mountain.[12]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Ross, Jim (2009). Four Winds Nomad. Lulu Press, Inc. Page 80. ISBN 9781445239354.
- ^ Swaney, Deanna (1994). Samoa: Western & American Samoa: a Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit. Lonely Planet Publications. Page 177. ISBN 9780864422255.
- ^ Charles Rawlings-Way (2016). Lonely Planet Rarotonga, Samoa & Tonga (Travel Guide). Lonely Planet. Page 147. ISBN 9781786572172.
- ^ Lonely Planet. "Rainmaker Mountain in Tutuila". Lonely Planet. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
- ^ "American Samoa Is The Empty Slice Of Bliss You've Been Craving". huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
- ^ Craig, Robert D. (2011). Historical Dictionary of Polynesia. Rowman & Littlefield. Page 19. ISBN 9780810867727.
- ^ "Rainmaker Mountain | American Samoa Attractions".
- ^ Swaney, Deanna (1994). Samoa: Western & American Samoa: a Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit. Lonely Planet Publications. Page 177. ISBN 9780864422255.
- ^ Goldin, Meryl Rose (2002). Field Guide to the Sāmoan Archipelago: Fish, Wildlife, and Protected Areas. Bess Press. Page 284. ISBN 9781573061117.
- ^ http://www.npshistory.com/publications/npsa/feasibility-study.pdf (Page 62)
- ^ "Rainmaker Mountain | Ma'oputasi | American Samoa | AFAR". 29 November 2018.
- ^ Fodor's Travel Guides (1991). Fodor’s South Pacific. Fodor's Travel Publications. Page 88.
External links
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