Current Topics in Geosciences: Prof. James Goff, UNSW Sydney

Palaeotsunamis and the human colonization of the Pacific islands

There has been a wealth of fascinating research undertaken that charts the movement of people across the South Pacific Ocean. What now constitutes Western and Eastern Polynesia represents two distinct phases of movement punctuated notably by what is termed the “Long Pause”, an almost 2000 year hiatus that occurred on the western edge of the Tonga Trench – an extensive and active subduction zone that extends southwards from Samoa to New Zealand. Past earthquakes and tsunamis around 2800-3000 years ago, around 2000 years ago, and in the mid-15th century appear to have all left their mark on Polynesian settlements, culture and use of the ocean seaways. This talk charts some of the tantalising evidence for the effects of past tsunamis on Polynesian settlement and culture, with most detail given to the more recent mid-15th century event.

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