Rainmaker Mountain

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 (5 m).[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
Elevation523 m (1,716 ft)
Coordinates14°16′35″S 170°39′10″W 
Geography
LocationTutuila Island in American Samoa
Designated1972

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 1,619-1,718 feet. The 170-acre designated landmark area occurs above the 800-feet contour line. Several endemic species are only present here and on Matafao Peak, the highest point on Tutuila.[9]

Rainmaker Mountain, which is an important site in Samoan legends and lores, 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]

Rainmaker Mountain as seen from the former Rainmaker Hotel.

The mountain is a volcanic feature known as a trachyte plug. This means that it is 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.

One can get a closeup view of the mountain by driving up Rainmaker Pass.[11]

Rainmaker Hotel was a hotel at the port entrance under the mountain.[12]

See also

References
  1. Ross, Jim (2009). Four Winds Nomad. Lulu Press, Inc. Page 80. ISBN 9781445239354.
  2. Swaney, Deanna (1994). Samoa: Western & American Samoa: a Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit. Lonely Planet Publications. Page 177. ISBN 9780864422255.
  3. Charles Rawlings-Way (2016). Lonely Planet Rarotonga, Samoa & Tonga (Travel Guide). Lonely Planet. Page 147. ISBN 9781786572172.
  4. Lonely Planet. "Rainmaker Mountain in Tutuila". Lonely Planet. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  5. "American Samoa Is The Empty Slice Of Bliss You've Been Craving". huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  6. Craig, Robert D. (2011). Historical Dictionary of Polynesia. Rowman & Littlefield. Page 19. ISBN 9780810867727.
  7. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/american-samoa/tutuila/attractions/rainmaker-mountain/a/poi-sig/1456093/362248
  8. Swaney, Deanna (1994). Samoa: Western & American Samoa: a Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit. Lonely Planet Publications. Page 177. ISBN 9780864422255.
  9. Goldin, Meryl Rose (2002). Field Guide to the Sāmoan Archipelago: Fish, Wildlife, and Protected Areas. Bess Press. Page 284. ISBN 9781573061117.
  10. http://www.npshistory.com/publications/npsa/feasibility-study.pdf (Page 62)
  11. https://www.afar.com/places/rainmaker-mountain-pago-pago
  12. Fodor's Travel Guides (1991). Fodor’s South Pacific. Fodor's Travel Publications. Page 88.


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