Tornadoes on their own are quite dangerous. However, when wind vortexes occur above an erupting volcano, they can throw fragments of molten rock over large distances. This video covers these unusual features, which are not actually true tornadoes but rather a variety of whirlwind. Additionally, this video discusses under which circumstances this hazard is most likely to be generated.

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Google Earth imagery used in this video: ©Google & Data Providers

Thumbnail Photo Credit: USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), USGS, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Public Domain

0:00 Lava Tornado
0:49 Whirlwinds vs Tornadoes
1:31 Whirlwind Generation
1:52 Warm Air Rises
2:23 Basalt & Rhyolite
3:37 A Real Volcanic Tornado
3:48 Conclusion

CC BY 2.0 license used for a section of a specific diagram in this video (not the entire video):
CC BY 2.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/