Spinning ‘Volnado’ Emerges During Hawaii's Kilauea Eruption

Rare ‘volnado’ forms as Hawaii’s Kilauea erupts

Hawaii’s Kilauea eruption creates rare ‘volnado’ phenomenon

As lava fountains shot nearly 500 feet high, a spinning whirlwind of ash and dust called a “volnado” twisted above Kilauea. The eruption ended Tuesday after producing enough lava to bury a football field one mile deep.

LOOK: 'Volnado' forms near Hawaii's Kilauea volcano

(WJW) -- You don't see this every day. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) shared a video Tuesday showing what they described as a "volnado" forming near an erupting fountain of lava in Hawaii. Fire causes house roof to collapse in Summit County “We know you’ve heard of a volcano…but how about a volnado?” a social media post from the agency said. The video shows a vortex slowly forming next to an active lava fountain at the Kilauea volcano. …

Spinning ‘volnado’ emerges during Hawaii's Kilauea eruption

Scientists say the rare vortex was created by turbulent mixing of hot and cold air as the volcano erupted for the 32nd time since December.

Kīlauea Lava Fountains Create Tornado-Like Vortices Of Volcanic Ash

HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK - The USGS Volcano Alert Level for Kīlauea is at WATCH, and the Aviation Color Code is ORANGE.