Pele's hair (closest modern Hawaiian translation: "") is a

volcanic glass Volcanic glass is the amorphous solid, amorphous (uncrystallized) product of rapidly cooling magma. Like all types of glass, it is a state of matter intermediate between the closely packed, highly ordered array of a crystal and the highly disorde ...

formation produced from cooled lava stretched into thin strands, usually from lava fountains, lava cascades, or vigorous lava flows. It is named after Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of

volcanoes A volcano is a rupture in the crust of a planetary-mass object, such as Earth, that allows hot lava, volcanic ash, and gases to escape from a magma chamber below the surface. On Earth, volcanoes are most often found where tectonic plates a ...

. Mentions of this type of lava can be found in 18th Century Hawaiian newspapers where it is called "Lauoho o Pele," "Lauoho Pele," and "Lauoho ehuehu a Pele." Wind often carries the light fibers high into the air and to places several kilometers away from the vent. It is common to find strands of Pele's hair on high places like treetops, radio antennas, and electric poles. Pele's hair has been produced by volcanoes around the world, for example in Nicaragua (

Masaya Masaya () is the capital city of Masaya Department in Nicaragua. It is situated approximately 14 km west of Granada and 31 km southeast of Managua. It is located just east of the Masaya Volcano, an active volcano from which the ...

), Italy ( Etna), Ethiopia ( Erta’ Ale), and Iceland, where it is known as ('witches' hair'). It is usually found in gaps in the ground, mostly near vents, skylights, ocean entry, or in corners where Pele's hair can accumulate. It is not recommended to touch Pele's hair, because it is very brittle and very sharp, and small broken pieces can enter the skin. Gloves should be worn while examining it. Pele's hair may occur along with

Pele's tears Pele's tears (closest Hawaiian translation: "nā waimaka o pele") are small pieces of solidified lava drops formed when airborne particles of molten material fuse into tearlike drops of volcanic glass. Pele's tears are jet black in color and are ...

. They indicate to volcanologists information about the eruption, such as the temperatures and the magma's path to the surface.

Plagioclase Plagioclase is a series of tectosilicate (framework silicate) minerals within the feldspar group. Rather than referring to a particular mineral with a specific chemical composition, plagioclase is a continuous solid solution series, more pro ...

starts to crystallize from the magma of Pele's hair at around 1,160 °C (about 2120 °F). Also, the shape of the tears can provide an indication of the velocity of the eruption, and the bubbles of gas and particles trapped within the tears can provide information about the composition of the magma chamber. peleshair on antenna

Formation

The strands are created when molten lava is ejected into the air and form tiny droplets, which elongate perfectly straight. It usually forms in lava fountains, lava cascades, and vigorous lava flows.

Features

Pele's hair has a golden yellow color and looks like human hair or dry straw. In sunlight, it has a shimmering gold color. Length varies considerably, but is typically 5 to 15 cm, and can be up to 2 m. Hair diameter ranges from about 1 to 300 µm (0.001 to 0.3 mm), and therefore weight is accordingly low.

References

* Moune, Séverine; Faure, François; Gauthier, Pierre-j. (2007) ''Pele's hairs and tears'': ''Natural probe of volcanic plume''. Elsevier, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research. France, p. 244-253 * M. Potuzak, M., Dingwell, D.B., Nichols, A.R.L. (2006) ''Hyperquenched Subaerial Pele’s Hair Glasses from Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii'' European Geosciences Union, v. 8 * Piccardi, L. and Masse, W. B. (2007) ''Myth and Geology'' Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 273, 1–7. The Geological Society of London, 2007 * Zimanowki, B., Buttner, R. Lorenz, V., Hafele, H-G. (1997) ''Fragmentation of Basaltic Melt in the Course of Explosive Volcanism''. Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 102, No. B1, Pages 803-814 * Villmant, B.; Salaün, A. and Staudacher, T. (2009) ''Evidence for a Homogeneous Primary Magma at Piton De La Fournaise (La Réunion): A Geochemical Study of Matrix Glass, Melt Inclusions and Pélé's Hairs of the 1998–2008 Eruptive Activity''. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, v. 184, p. 79-92

Bibliography

* Gill, Robin. ''Igneous Rocks and Processes: A Practical Guide.'' Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010. * Lopes, Rosaly. ''The Volcano Adventure Guide.'' Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2005. * MacDonald, Gordon Andrew; Abbott, Agatin Townsend; and Peterson, Frank L. ''Volcanoes in the Sea: The Geology of Hawaii.'' Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1983. * Morey, Kathy. ''Hawaii Trails: Walks, Strolls, and Treks on the Big Island.'' Berkeley, Calif.: Wilderness Press, 2006. * Nimmo, Harry. ''Pele, Volcano Goddess of Hawai'i: A History.'' Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Co., 2011.

External links

Hawaii: Pele's Hair (Volcanic Glass) (video)

USGS Photo Glossary: Pele's hair

Lauoho Pele

Lauoho Ehuehu a Pele

Lauoho o Pele
{{Hawaiian volcanism Glass in nature Eruption products Volcanism Pyroclastic rocks

Formation

Features

See also

References

Bibliography

External links