| Cape Taputapu | |
|---|---|
 Cape Taputapu National Natural Landmark | |
  Map ofAmerican Samoa | |
| Location | Poloa, American Samoa |
| Coordinates | 14°19′35″S170°50′33″W / 14.32639°S 170.84250°W /-14.32639; -170.84250[1] |
| Area | 170 acres (69 ha) |
| Designated | 1972 |
Cape Taputapu (Samoan: Tolotolo i Taputapu) is the name of acape located in theWestern District ofAmerican Samoa.[2] Located inTutuila, it is the island's westernmost point.[3] The cape was designated as aNational Natural Landmark in 1972.
Cape Taputapu is an important site in Samoan legends and also the location of afruit bat colony. The coastline represents geologic features and an important habitat forintertidal flora and fauna.[4]
Taputapu means forbidden inSamoan, and the cape was named so as it was the only site onTutuila where paper mulberry trees were found. The discoverers wanted to keep the site and bark for themselves so they could sell it to other parts of American Samoa.[5]
The cape's shoreline features volcanic rocks and blowholes created by the strong wave activity which also created Tutuila Island as a whole. It can be hiked during times of low tide, from a trail located in the village ofPoloa. The cape is the last place on Tutuila where the sun sets.[6]
Cape Taputapu National Natural Landmark features a mass of high, steep rocks and is fronted by several rocky islets. It is a geological formation featuring offshore volcanic rocks, rugged shoreline, and naturalblowholes shaped by the relentless action of ocean waves. This site includes notable erosion-resistant volcanic rock formations along the shoreline, with one islet identified as a volcanic vent through which lava once flowed during a significant volcanic event that shaped Tutuila Island. Covering an area of 170 acres (69 hectares), the landmark is designated as a U.S. National Natural Landmark. Situated at the westernmost point of Tutuila Island in American Samoa, Cape Taputapu lies just beyond the village ofʻAmanave.[7]
Taputapu is also the name of a nearby islet known asTaputapu Island.[8] Close to Cape Taputapu's southwest lies Taputapu Island, a rocky islet contributing to the rugged coastal landscape. Historically, a beacon was reported to exist on the summit of Taputapu Island. According to navigational records, this beacon, a white pyramidal structure standing 18 feet tall, was operational in earlier times. However, by 1962, the beacon was reported as nonexistent. The island's surrounding waters are known for strong currents.[9]
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