page_title: Pele's hair
section_title: Formation
hierarchical_section_title: Pele's hair / Formation
caption_attribution_description: English: Hundreds of strands of Pele's hair intertwined on the surface of a pahoehoe flow at Kilauea Volcano, Hawai`i. The glass strands were erupted from Mauna Ulu, a shield that formed on the east rift of Kilauea between 1969 and 1974.
context_page_description: Pele's hair is a form of lava. It is named after Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes. It can be defined as volcanic glass fibers or thin strands of volcanic glass. The strands are formed through the stretching of molten basaltic glass from lava, usually from lava fountains, lava cascades, and vigorous lava flows.
  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 does not occur solely in Hawaii. It can be found near other volcanoes around the world, for example in Nicaragua, Italy, Ethiopia, and Iceland, where it is known as "nornahár". 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. They tell volcanologists information about the eruption, such as the temperatures and the magma's path to the surface.
context_section_description: 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.
caption: Pele's hair on a pahoehoe flow at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaiʻi, March 27, 1984
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