**5. Conclusion**

This study set out to reassess available Itrax elemental datasets for the Samoan Islands to determine whether an elemental signature associated with the 2009 tsunami in this region is observed. After normalization of the Itrax data against Al, a distinct elemental signal for this event is identified at two of the three core sites reassessed, which provided benchmarks for identifying older potential events at each site. The dearth of evidence for tropical cyclone-related elemental benchmarks in these islands, particularly >20 m inland of the shore, limits the association of any of the detected signals with potential storm deposits. Future investigations involving isotope geochemistry and principal component analysis of likely sources would help to clarify this.

The results presented in this study are consistent with tsunami Itrax observations in the Little Pigeon Bay study, and highlights the importance of normalizing Itrax data using Al in tsunami deposit investigations. This enables a more accurate representation of tsunami elemental signatures in core profiles, and for the case presented in this study, enables an interpretive improvement of tsunami episodes compared with previous studies on these cores. The significant data gaps in the Lano and Manono-uta elemental profiles associated with low Al detection, limits their use in accurately interpreting older potential events at these sites.

Nevertheless, the findings in this study reinforce the use of high resolution Itrax elemental data as an effective tool for characterizing and identifying tsunami inundations in the coastal landscape. Furthermore, they demonstrate the potential for elemental signatures to be used as a rapid screening tool to target more detailed multi-proxy investigations of identified signals, including their potential sources and longer-term hazard implications.
