South Pacific tsunami

A powerful quake in the South Pacific hurled massive tsunami waves at the shores of Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009, flattening villages and sweeping cars and people back out to sea while leaving scores dead and dozens missing.

Section:Gallery

Wed., Sept. 30, 2009

This photo taken Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009, shows the fishing boat "Gogosina" on Beach Road in Pago Pago, American Samoa. A magnitude 8.0 quake struck early Tuesday morning, and sent giant waves crashing down on the islands. "Gogosina" is the Samoan word for the seabird also known as a tern. (AP Photo/Bruce Leiataua)

Bruce Leiataua Associated Press
A car is seen pushed up against a bridge after strong seawater from the tsunami filled a small stream in the village of Fagatogo, located in the main town area in American Samoa on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Fili Sagapolutele)

Fili Sagapolutele Associated Press
This photo shows an aerial view of Hihifo on the western side of Tonga on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009. A powerful quake in the South Pacific hurled massive tsunami waves at the shores of Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga, flattening villages and sweeping cars and people back out to sea while leaving scores dead and dozens missing.

Pesi Fonua Associated Press
This photo shows an aerial of Hihifo on the western side of Tonga on Tuesday, Sept. 29 2009.

Pesi Fonua Associated Press
A resident looks at the damage from the Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009, tsunami that struck the village of Leone in American Samoa, approximately ten miles west of the port city of Pago Pago.
The aftermath of a powerful earthquake is seen in Pago Pago village, American Samoa, on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009.

Derek Web Samoanews.Com
The aftermath of a powerful earthquake is seen in Pago Pago village, American Samoa, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009.

Ausage Fausia Associated Press
People search through the rubble following a powerful earthquake in Pago Pago village, American Samoa, on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009. The quake in the South Pacific hurled massive tsunami waves at the shores of Samoa and American Samoa, flattening villages and sweeping cars and people back out to sea while leaving scores dead and dozens missing.

Ausage Fausia Associated Press
In this Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009, photo provided by Tanne Gabler, a damaged home is seen in Leone, American Samoa. Disaster officials rushed food, medicine and a temporary morgue to the Samoas on Wednesday after a powerful earthquake unleashed a tsunami that flattened villages and swept cars and people out to sea.

Tanne Gabler Associated Press
In a photo taken Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009, a boat with a sign reading "Owner on board. Looter shot" lies on its side after having been pushed about 100 meters inland across part of a sports field, a playground and four tennis courts to end up in a parking lot in Pago Pago, American Samoa.

Bruce Leiataua Associated Press
This photo taken Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009, shows the remains of a house on Beach Road in Pago Pago, American Samoa. A magnitude 8.0 quake struck early Tuesday morning, and sent giant waves crashing down on the islands.

Bruce Leiataua Associated Press
Flooding is seen at a resort in Pago Pago village, American Samoa, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/New Zealand Herald) NEW ZEALAND OUT, FAIRFAX OUT

New Zealand Herald Associated Press
This Tuesday Sept. 29, 2009 satellite image provided by DigitalGlobe shows Pago Pago, American Samoa, shortly after a tsunami hit the island.
This Tuesday Sept. 29, 2009 satellite image provided by DigitalGlobe shows Tafuna International Airport in Pago Pago, American Samoa after a tsunami hit the island.