**Notes**

*Applied Geochemistry with Case Studies on Geological Formations, Exploration Techniques…*

same event and whether they signify the extent of a major transpacific or a more localized event similar to the 2009 and 1917 tsunamis, is unclear and requires more

Importantly, due to non-detection of Al and subsequent data gaps, the Lano and Manono-uta sites are only providing true representations of 39 and 37% of their total analyzed profiles, respectively, compared with 93% for the Ma'asina site. While interpolation enables more meaningful elemental profiles to be produced, it is likely that fine-scale signals at Lano and Manono-uta are diluted and not adequately represented. Consequently, the interpretations presented for these sites

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.

Titimaea for their contributions to earlier associated aspects of this study.

and longer-term hazard implications.

**Acknowledgements**

**Conflict of interest**

None.

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

This research was supported by NIWA through New Zealand government strategic science investment funding (SSIF), projects CARH1902 and PRAS1901. Itrax data for Samoa and 210Pb dates reproduced in this study were obtained in 2012 through the Australian Institute for Nuclear Sciences and Engineering (AINSE) Grant 12/119. The author acknowledges Tim Davies, Catherine Chagué, Atun Zawadzki, Patricia Gadd, James Goff, Ilyas Qasim, Johnny Ah Kau, Faigame Sale and Mulipola Ausetalia

detailed investigation.

should be used with care.

**5. Conclusion**

**34**

Readers should also refer to citations contained within the references listed below for additional details, where relevant, on various aspects presented in this chapter.
