Whirlwind Spins Over Fissure at Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano

A whirlwind was filmed over fissure 8 at Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano on July 10, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.

The USGS said a number of whirlwinds have formed near that location due to the extreme heat of the open lava channel heating the air above it.

“As the heated air quickly rises, a light wind can push the air column to begin a rotation, which spins faster as it is stretched and narrowed,” the USGS said, adding that recurring rainfall near the fissure, moisture and clouds made the whirlwind easier to see for the brief time it was active. Credit: USGS via Storyful