At least 100 people perished on Samoa and neighboring American Samoa, while at least 6 were killed when the waves reached Tonga.
Samoan villagers described waves "as high as the sky" crashing into towns and resorts only minutes after the powerful shaking ended.
A series of four waves ranging in height from 15 to 20 feet tossed people, cars and debris as far as a mile inland on American Samoa.