Ofu & Olosega
- ISS002-E-6878
- 16 July 2001
- 23:03 UTC
Situated 10 km northwest from Ta'ū and 95 km east from Tutuila, the two islands of Ofu (4.9 km²) and Olosega (3.9 km²) are the westernmost of the Manu'a Islands group and form part of the territory of American Samoa. Obscured by cloud at the left side of the image is the smaller islet of Nu'utele (1.08 km²) located 1 km off the eastern side of Ofu.
The twin islands of Ofu (on the west), and Olosega (on the east) are formed by two sharply eroded, overlapping shield volcanoes. Steep slopes and cliffs of up to 600 m in height give the islands dramatic southern and northern coastlines that sweep to points facing the narrow strait between the islands; the interiors of the islands slope to the west (Ofu) and east (Olosega). The steep slopes of Ofu's southern coast culminate in the Leolo Ridge where the highest peak of the island is found — the Tumu Mountain at 494 m. Olosega's Piumafua Mountain, located at the junction of the northern and southern ridges (Alei Ridge and Mataala Ridge, respectively) rises to a height of 639 m. Both islands are surrounded by a common fringing reef that becomes exposed at low tide.
The narrow Asaga Strait (hidden beneath the clouds on the right) that separates the islands is spanned by a small slab and girder bridge.
