NOAA briefing
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata said she appreciates a recent informative briefing by NOAA Administrator Dr. Richard Spinrad, an oceanographer who also serves as Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, regarding the volcanic status of the Vailulu’u Seamount....

![dCongresswoman Amata and oceanographer Dr. Robert Ballar (who discovered the Titanic among other things) had a meeting in November 2021, and he plans upcoming research in American Samoa. [courtesy photo] Congresswoman Amata and oceanographer Dr. Robert Ballar](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/amata_n_dr_robert_ballard.jpg?itok=oK-MjXQv)