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Pele’s Hair is the name for the strands of volcanic glass that are created when globs of liquid lava are stretched apart during an eruption. These golden strands can be more than a meter (3 feet) long and less than 1 millimeter (0.04 inches) thick. They are very light weight and can be wafted up in the hot or warm eruption plume, allowing them to be carried by wind and fall in areas far from eruption sites. 

Tradewind conditions would typically take these particles downwind in a southwest direction from Kīlauea summit, into the Kaʻū Desert area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. However, during episode 4, from January 15–18, there were no tradewinds. The lack of wind allowed the eruption plume, and all the particles in it, to spread out to the north dropping Pele’s Hair fell in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National, Volcano Golf Course, Volcano Village, Mauna Loa Estates, and Ohia Estates. In some areas, the hair tangled into tumble-weed like structures up to 60 cm (about two feet) long. 

You may be wondering if there are steps you need to take regarding vehicles, pets and children being outside, grazing livestock, or water catchment systems if you live in an area that has been affected by Pele’s Hair.

Much of the general guidance about volcanic ash exposure and cleanup can be applied to Pele’s Hair, though the two are not exactly the same. Ash is defined as particles smaller than 2 millimeters (0.079 inches) in diameter. While Pele’s Hair is usually thicker and longer, it is likely that ash-sized particles are also falling with Pele’s Hair. And fragile Pele’s Hair can also easily break into ash-sized pieces. 

Pele’s hair doesn’t wash off of grassy areas as easily as ash and might impact grazing animals, but there are no studies of these impacts. If you are concerned, considered supplementing your animals’ feed or relocating them to an area where Pele’s Hair did not fall.  Pele’s Hair could be beneficial to pasture growth in the long term.

The recent eruption episode deposited less than 1 millimeter (a fraction of an inch) of Pele’s Hair in communities near Kīlauea’s summit. This amount usually does not require any action but it’s good to be aware and prepared in case more Pele’s Hair falls in the future or accumulates over time.

Take a look at any flat surfaces outside on your property to evaluate the amount of Pele’s Hair that has accumulated. The hood of a vehicle that was parked outside, for example.  If you do notice any material on your vehicle, it’s a good idea to rinse the particles off with water—especially from windows and door handles as it can scratch paint and metal surfaces. 

Both Pele’s Hair and volcanic ash are abrasive and can irritate eyes, skin, and respiratory systems. Limiting exposure is the best way to avoid being impacted; consider wearing protective clothing or equipment (gloves, eye protection, facemask) if you cannot limit your exposure. Rainfall and wind will eventually remove the Pele’s Hair, or plants will bind it into the soil. 

The amount of Pele’s Hair that fell recently was small enough to be handled by most general filtration systems. However, if you are concerned about Pele’s Hair getting in your water catchment system during future lava fountain episodes, there are steps you can take to prevent that from happening. Disconnect the downpipe that connects your gutter system to your tank when Pele’s Hair is falling. This will prevent particles from entering your tank. A rainfall or rinsing will clean much of the material off your roof and flush it out of your downpipe. Then, reconnect your downpipe to your tank again. 

Pele’s Hair deposition depends on the type of eruptive activity and wind conditions. Five fountaining episodes have taken place so far at Kīlauea summit and monitoring data show patterns suggesting that this type of activity could continue. If you live near the eruptive activity, please stay aware and reach out to askHVO@usgs.gov if you have any questions or concerns. 

Volcano Activity Updates

Kīlauea is erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is WATCH.

The summit eruption at Kīlauea volcano that began in Halemaʻumaʻu crater on December 23 ended its 5th episode at 4:30 AM HST January 23 after 14 hours of eruptive activity from the north vent. Kīlauea summit has been inflating since the eruption ended. Resumption of eruptive activity is possible within days if summit inflation continues at current rate. No unusual activity has been noted along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone. Sulfur dioxide emission rates are elevated in the summit region during active eruption episodes. Earthquake rates in the Southwest Rift Zone and upper to middle East Rift Zone remained comparable to the previous week. Ground deformation rates outside of the summit region remained steady. 

Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL.

No earthquakes were reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week.

HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.

Please visit HVO’s website for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake information, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.