When lava erupts from Hawaii's Kīlauea volcano and is stretched by wind, it forms delicate volcanic glass called 'Pele's Hair' and 'Pele's Tears.'

Pele's hair and tears are products of basaltic volcanism, specifically during high-fountaining eruptions at Kīlauea on Hawaii's Big Island. When gas-rich magma reaches the surface, rapid expansion of gas bubbles causes the lava to explode into the air. If wind is strong enough, it pulls the molten lava into long, thin filaments of volcanic glass. These strands are remarkably light and can be carried several kilometers away from the vent by trade winds.Pele's tears form when molten spray is not stretched thin enough to create a hair. Instead, surface tension pulls the cooling lava into teardrop or spherical shapes. These glass fragments are typically jet black and are often found attached to the ends of Pele's hair strands. Geologists from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) frequently collect these samples to analyze the magma's chemical composition, as the glass preserves the original gas content of the eruption.While scientifically fascinating, these formations pose significant hazards. Pele's hair is essentially fine fiberglass—extremely sharp and brittle. It can irritate skin and eyes, and can contaminate drinking water supplies if it falls into catchment tanks. The 2018 lower Puna eruption documented significant amounts of these glass fibers across the landscape, a powerful reminder of the goddess Pele's presence in the region.