Ash Vortices Form at Kilauea as Lava Heats Crater Floor
Multiple ash vortices appeared on USGS webcams at Kilauea over the weekend before June 15, 2026. One formed at 12:21 PM Hawaii time on June 14.
ForbesU.S. Geological Survey webcams at Kilauea over the weekend preceding June 15, 2026. One formed off fountaining lava at 12:21 PM Hawaii time on June 14. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists observed a large dust devil, known as puahiohio in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, during post-episode-45 servicing of cameras along the south rim of Kīlauea caldera.
The vortex was driven by heat rising from hot lava flows on the floor of Halema‘uma‘u crater. Debris from an ash vortex was seen pelting a webcam at the site. Forbes reported that the vortices were visible on multiple webcams during the period.
Ash vortices form when intense heat from lava flows or vents causes warm air to rise and rotate. Localized wind shear determines whether they rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. These vortices differ from typical tornadoes because they form upward from surface temperature gradients rather than downward from supercell thunderstorms.
They are similar to dust devils and are usually weaker than traditional tornadoes. USGS maintains a photo gallery of puahiohio at Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. Tom Gill, Professor of Geological Sciences and Environmental Science and Engineering at the University of Texas, El Paso, shared images and videos of the June 14 event on his Facebook page.
