Occurrence
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. Strands of Pele's hair commonly gather 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 (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).See also
* Pele's tears * Limu o Pele (Pele's seaweed) *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. 79-92Bibliography
* 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