A rare 'lavanado' was recently filmed swirling over Kilauea volcano during a significant eruption. Captured by Scott Malis, the phenomenon resembles a small dust devil but forms above molten lava. Lasting about four minutes, the lavanado was generated by heated air rising rapidly due to the volcanic activity. This rare occurrence, which occurred alongside lava fountains shooting hundreds of feet into the air, exemplifies a unique interaction between weather and geological forces. The episode was part of a 13-hour volcanic event at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, contributing to the lively display of nature's forces.
Typically, these vortices develop when there are clear skies and light winds, when the ground can warm up air temperatures to far above what they usually are just above ground level.
When the ground gets much warmer (like molten lava) than the air above it, hot air rushes upward and the cooler air moves in to take its place, stirring it all up like a pot of soup - a process called 'vertical mixing.'
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