Video captures whirlwind above fissure 8 lava channel

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field crews monitoring fissure 8 captured this video of a whirlwind above the lava channel in the Leilani Estates subdivision.

The vortex of rapidly swirling air entrained hot lava, flinging it yards away. The scientists maintained a safe distance, using a telephoto lens to take this video.

The whirlwind lasted about 10 minutes, starting and stopping without warning.