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Pele's hair (closest modern Hawaiian translation: "lauoho o Pele"^[1]) is a volcanic glass 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.^[2]

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), Italy (Etna), Ethiopia (Erta’ Ale), and Iceland, where it is known as nornahár [ˈnɔ(r)tnaˌhauːr̥] ('witches' hair').^[3] 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.^[3] They indicate to volcanologists information about the eruption, such as the temperatures and the magma's path to the surface. Plagioclase starts to crystallize from the magma of Pele's hair at around 1,160 °C (about 2120 °F).^[4] 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.

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.^[3]

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.^[5] Hair diameter ranges from about 1 to 300 µm (0.001 to 0.3 mm).

References

^ "Definition of Pele's hair". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Retrieved 2021-05-16.
^ Shimozuru, Daisuke (1994). "Physical parameters governing the formation of Pele's hair and tears". Bulletin of Volcanology. 56 (3): 217–219. doi:10.1007/BF00279606.
^ ^a ^b ^c Duffield, W. A.; Gibson Jr., E. K.; Heiken, G. H. (1977). "Some characteristics of Pele's hair" (PDF). Journal of Research of the U. S. Geological Survey. 5 (1): 93–101.
^ Katsura, Takashi (1967). "Pele's hair as a liquid of Hawaiian tholeiitic basalts" (PDF). Geochemical Journal. 1 (4): 157–168. doi:10.2343/geochemj.1.157.
^ Herzog, G. F; et al. (2009). "Isotopic and elemental abundances of copper and zinc in lunar samples, Zagami, Pele's hairs, and a terrestrial basalt". Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. 73 (19): 5884–5904. doi:10.1016/j.gca.2009.05.067.

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

[1] "Definition of Pele's hair". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Retrieved 2021-05-16.

[Shimozuru94-2] Shimozuru, Daisuke (1994). "Physical parameters governing the formation of Pele's hair and tears". Bulletin of Volcanology. 56 (3): 217–219. doi:10.1007/BF00279606.

[Duffield77-3] Duffield, W. A.; Gibson Jr., E. K.; Heiken, G. H. (1977). "Some characteristics of Pele's hair" (PDF). Journal of Research of the U. S. Geological Survey. 5 (1): 93–101.

[Katsura67-4] Katsura, Takashi (1967). "Pele's hair as a liquid of Hawaiian tholeiitic basalts" (PDF). Geochemical Journal. 1 (4): 157–168. doi:10.2343/geochemj.1.157.

[Herzog09-5] Herzog, G. F; et al. (2009). "Isotopic and elemental abundances of copper and zinc in lunar samples, Zagami, Pele's hairs, and a terrestrial basalt". Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. 73 (19): 5884–5904. doi:10.1016/j.gca.2009.05.067.

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 == 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&nbsp;cm, and can be up to 2&nbsp;m.<ref name="Herzog09">{{cite journal | title=Isotopic and elemental abundances of copper and zinc in lunar samples, Zagami, Pele's hairs, and a terrestrial basalt | author=Herzog, G. F|display-authors=etal| journal=Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta | year=2009 | volume=73 | issue=19 | pages=5884–5904 | doi=10.1016/j.gca.2009.05.067}}</ref> Hair diameter ranges from about 1 to 300&nbsp;µm (0.001 to 0.3&nbsp;mm), and therefore weight is accordingly low.
+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&nbsp;cm, and can be up to 2&nbsp;m.<ref name="Herzog09">{{cite journal | title=Isotopic and elemental abundances of copper and zinc in lunar samples, Zagami, Pele's hairs, and a terrestrial basalt | author=Herzog, G. F|display-authors=etal| journal=Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta | year=2009 | volume=73 | issue=19 | pages=5884–5904 | doi=10.1016/j.gca.2009.05.067}}</ref> Hair diameter ranges from about 1 to 300&nbsp;µm (0.001 to 0.3&nbsp;mm).
 == See also ==

v t e Hawaiian volcanism topics (list)
Windward Isles	South Arch volcanic field Kamaʻehuakanaloa Māhukona Hawaiʻi Kīlauea (Kīlauea Iki, Pauahi Crater, Puʻu ʻŌʻō, Mauna Ulu) Mauna Loa Hualālai Mauna Kea Kohala Kahoʻolawe Kauaʻi Kaʻula Lānaʻi Maui Haleakalā West Maui Molokaʻi Penguin Bank West Molokai Volcano East Molokai Volcano Niʻihau Oʻahu Honolulu Kaʻena Koʻolau North Arch volcanic field Waiʻanae
Leeward Isles	French Frigate Shoals Gardner Pinnacles Kure Atoll Laysan Lisianski Island Maro Reef Midway Atoll Necker Island Nihoa Pearl and Hermes Atoll
Emperor Seamounts	Abbott Colahan Daikakuji Detroit Hancock Jingū Kammu Kimmei Koko Meiji Nintoku Ojin Suiko Yomei Yuryaku
Notable eruptions and vents	1955 Hawaiian submarine eruption 1975 eruption of Mauna Loa 1984 eruption of Mauna Loa 2018 lower Puna eruption 2022 eruption of Mauna Loa Keanakakoi eruption ʻAilāʻau eruption Halemaʻumaʻu Kīlauea Caldera Kīlauea Iki Mauna Ulu Powers Caldera Puʻu ʻŌʻō
Topics	ʻAʻā (lava) Evolution of Hawaiian volcanoes Haleakalā National Park Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Hawaiian–Emperor seamount chain Hawaiian eruption Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Kīlauea eruptions Lava fountain Limu o Pele Mauna Loa eruptions Pāhoehoe (lava) Pele (deity) Pele's hair Pele's tears Puna Geothermal Venture Volcano House