Pele’s Hair is a geological term for thin strands of volcanic glass. Named after the Hawaiian goddess Pele, its delicate, golden appearance often belies a serious physical hazard. This material is essentially a form of natural spun glass. Pele’s Hair is dangerous primarily due to its extremely fragile and sharp physical structure, carrying a risk of irritation and injury to the skin, eyes, and especially the respiratory system.
The Formation and Structure of Pele’s Hair
Pele’s Hair forms during effusive volcanic eruptions involving highly fluid basaltic lava, such as those found in Hawaiʻi. The process begins when gas bubbles trapped within molten lava rapidly burst, or when liquid lava is propelled high into the air during fountaining activity. As the lava droplets are stretched and rapidly cooled, they solidify into long, hair-like filaments of volcanic glass. The chemical composition of these strands is a type of basaltic glass, specifically a filamentous variety of brown sideromelane.
These fibers are incredibly fine, typically ranging from about 1 to 300 micrometers in diameter, which is thinner than a human hair. Despite their delicacy and length—which can sometimes reach several feet—the fibers are brittle. They break easily into abrasive, sharp fragments. Because they are so lightweight, these fragments can be carried by wind over significant distances from the eruption site.
Inhalation Risks and Respiratory Health
The most severe risk associated with Pele’s Hair involves the inhalation of its sharp, microscopic fragments. When the strands break down, the resulting airborne particles pose a threat to the respiratory system. These abrasive fibers can cause immediate irritation to the upper respiratory tract, leading to symptoms like a sore throat, coughing, and general discomfort.
Deep Lung Penetration
The smallest particles, those measuring less than 10 micrometers in diameter (PM10), can bypass the body’s natural defenses and travel deep into the lungs. While the majority of Pele’s Hair strands are larger than the PM10 threshold, a fraction of the broken material is small enough to penetrate deeper lung tissues. People with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), face a significantly higher risk from exposure. Health officials recommend that those with such conditions remain indoors and always carry their prescribed medication when volcanic activity is present.
Contact Hazards: Skin and Eye Irritation
Beyond the respiratory threat, Pele’s Hair presents direct physical hazards upon contact with the body. The fragile, needle-like fibers can easily break and embed themselves in exposed skin, much like tiny glass slivers. This can result in localized pain, itching, and the development of an irritating rash.
Eye Irritation
The greatest risk from contact is to the eyes, where the abrasive nature of the glass can cause serious damage. If airborne fragments enter the eye, they can cause corneal abrasion or severe irritation. Should fibers get into the eyes, the recommended first-aid is to flush them thoroughly with large amounts of clean water. It is important to avoid rubbing the eyes, as this action can further embed the sharp glass fragments into the delicate ocular tissue.
Essential Safety Guidelines for Encountering Volcanic Glass
Limiting exposure is the most effective strategy for preventing health issues related to volcanic glass fibers. When in areas experiencing volcanic activity, avoid walking on or disturbing any accumulated patches of the material. This prevents the fragile fibers from breaking and becoming suspended in the air.
Protective Measures
Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment is necessary when exposure cannot be avoided, such as during clean-up operations. This gear should include a well-fitting N95 respirator mask to filter out fine airborne particles. Protective eyewear, such as goggles, is needed to shield the eyes from flying fragments. Additionally, covering the skin with long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and gloves will prevent the fibers from lodging in the skin.
Clean-up
If Pele’s Hair has fallen onto vehicles or outdoor surfaces, removal should be done carefully to prevent scratching. Instead of brushing the material, which can scratch paint and metal surfaces, rinse the particles off with water. For homes utilizing water catchment systems, temporarily disconnect the gutters from the storage tanks when the fibers are falling to prevent contamination of the drinking supply.