Mauna Loa in Hawaii is now the largest currently active volcano in the world. Emergency officials issued warnings about “Pele’s Hair” as it began erupting at about 11:30 p.m. on Sunday (November 27).

For months, Mauna Loa on the big island has been unstable and the area has been experiencing earthquakes. The volcano had not had an eruption since 1984 when it exploded.

Most of the volcanic activity is taking place at the summit caldera which is a huge crater formed at the top when the mouth of the volcano collapsed during a previous eruption. The summit area of the 13,100-foot volcano is known as the Moku‘āweoweo .

Hawaii’s Governor David Ige and emergency officials held a press conference, Monday afternoon. They shared updates and emergency preparation plans regarding Mauna Loa.

Pele’s Hair poses risk

On Monday the Hawaii Volcano Observatory reports that the ongoing eruption of lava still poses no threat to local populated areas. And they will not be issuing a travel advisory at this time.

The National Weather Service warns that as much as a quarter inch of ash may be carried downwind of the volcano. It is an air quality emergency.

People with breathing difficulties may be at-risk. And are urged to remain inside.

Emergency officials have issued a warning to residents that gas fumes, ash and Pele’s Hair could be dangerous throughout Hawaii.

The Legend of Pele’s Hair

According to legend Pele, short for Pelehonuamea, was the Hawaiian Goddess of volcanoes and fire. And she once ruled the island from the peak of  Kīlauea in Hawaii.

Pele is said to travel throughout the islands. And she often appears “as a beautiful young woman, or as an old woman, sometimes accompanied by a white dog.”

The term Pele’s Hair describes thin glass fibers that occur during volcano eruptions. 

“When bubbles of gas near the surface of a lava flow burst, it can stretch the skin of the molten lava into long threads,” according to the Park Service website.

These long, hair-like fibers are usually found near volcanic summits. But they can be carried downwind for many miles. And they really do look like “golden mats of hair,” the park service claims.

The strands of Pele’s Hair can be as long at 2 feet. But they are ultra-thin sometimes just .001 millimeters, wide. 

Pele’s Hairs can become merged together forming inches deep of “mats.” They are extremely fragile and easily broken. The slivers when shattered can lodge into the skin, the lungs or the eyes the agency warned.

They are light enough to be picked up and carried by the wind. And the birds sometimes use the intact mats to build nests.

They are also extremely fragile and easily broken. The slivers when shattered can lodge into the skin, the lungs or the eyes officials warned.

“Caution around the fibers is necessary to avoid injury from the slivers,” the agency added.