An unusual sight was recorded by helicopter over the Episode 61g lava flow field on Hawai‘i Island recently. Several vortices were seen twisting just above the Pulama pali at sunrise on Thursday, March 29. These dramatic, unusual formations look like mini tornadoes, but spin much less quickly.
Water spouts aren’t unusual at the ocean entry, but on March 29, 2018, several vortices appeared just above the Pali due to a head downpour on the 61G flow and the right wind and heat conditions.
The Episode 61g lava flow is active above the pali, closer to the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō vent on Kīlauea Volcano’s East Rift Zone. There is no active lava on the pali or the coastal plain.
Yes, a pink rainbow, amazing land spouts and a veritable plethora of lava flows made for a spectacular lava overflight that morning.
