VIDEO: Whirlwind spotted over fissure 8 lava flow

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

The vortex of rapidly swirling air picked up 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.