LIMU O PELE

'limu o Pele', Hawaiian, literally, seaweed of Pele, after Pele the Hawaiian fire goddess of volcanoes. Limu o Pele is a geological term for thin sheets and subsequently shattered flakes of brownish-green to near-clear volcanic glass that commonly resembles seaweed. Limu o Pele is formed when water is forced into lava, as when waves wash over the top of the exposed streams of molten rock, and becomes trapped. The water boils and is instantly converted to steam, expanding to form bubbles—steam-filled bubbles of lava. The lava rapidly cools, as the bubbles grow, until the lava-walled bubbles become too thin and solidify. The volcanic glass bubbles burst and are dispersed by the breeze, showering flakes of glass downwind. Limu o Pele is primarily a scientific term used by volcanologists.

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See also

★ Pele's hair

★ Pele's tears

External links

★ USGS Photo Glossary: Limu