The phenomenon is rare, although the webs have appeared before in other parts of the country. According to arachnologist Maria Chatzaki, they are always from the same type of spider: the Tetragnatha genus, a tiny critter no longer than 2 centimeters, or 0.7 inches.

Spider webs covering vegetation along the Noatak River Delta resemble a mass "ballooning" event reported in Unalaska.