Other Types of Tephra
Other types of tephra are also common in Hawaii. Pele's hair is
naturally spun volcanic glass that is blown away from lava fountains,
cascading lava falls, or turbulent lava flows. Pele's hair is gold in
color and has a diameter of less than half a millimeter. Photograph by
J.D. Griggs, U.S. Geological Survey, April 1989.
Pele's tears are solidified drops of volcanic glass. Pele's tears range
in size from millimeters to a few centimeters and can be trailed by
Pele's hair. Pele's tears can be tear-shaped, spherical, or nearly
cylindrical. The Pele's tears in this photograph were collected from
Hilina Pali Road after being carried westward by the wind during the
Mauna Ulu eruption, 1969-1974. Photograph by J.D. Griggs, U.S.
Geological Survey, November 1984.
Limu O Pele is sheets of volcanic glass produced when channelized
lava or
lava from tubes enters the sea. Under certain conditions, water is
forced into the lava and becomes incorporated in the flow. The water is
converted to steam. The expansion of the steam produces a bubble with a
wall made of lava. The bubble continues to grow until the wall becomes
too thin and solidifies. The glass bubble then bursts, and limu o Pele
is dispersed by the wind. Photograph by J.D. Griggs, U.S. Geological
Survey, February 25, 1987.
Limu O Pele seldom survives as large sheets. As limu o Pele is
dispersed
by the wind it shatters into thousands on tiny glass fragments.
Photograph by J.D. Griggs, U.S. Geological Survey, February 25,
1987.
