Hawaii volcano eruption video: Whirlwind of lava sends hot magma FLYING into the air
DRAMATIC footage has surfaced from Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano showing a whirlwind over the volatile fissure 8 channel sending lava flying metres into the air.
By KAT HOPPS
Express.co.uk
Wed, Jul 4, 2018
In the video taken by United States Geological Survey (USGS) scientists, sparks are hurtled about in high winds in what looks like a fireworks display gone wrong.
The phenomenon was filmed in the Leilani Estates subdivision of Kilauea volcano’s Lower East Rift Zone.
USGS said in a statement: “The vortex of rapidly swirling air entrained hot lava, flinging it meters 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.”
USGS said the unusual activity “forms when hot gases rise and punch through the cooler air above, to create a vertical column of hot air.
“Depending on the wind conditions, the rising column of air can begin to rotate, creating a whirlwind”.
Is Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano still erupting?
An explosion at Kilauea’s summit on July 3 at 2.17am local time (1pm BST time) saw ash plume rise to up to 2,000 feet (609m).
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