A rare volcanic steam devil, nicknamed a “volnado,” was captured on video swirling next to lava fountains at the Kīlauea volcano in the U.S. [1].

The phenomenon provides a rare glimpse into the atmospheric dynamics created by extreme heat and volcanic activity. These events occur when intense heat and rapidly rising gases from lava fountains create a powerful vortex of steam [5].

Observers documented the formation on June 2, 2026 [3]. The footage shows the steam devil spinning adjacent to active lava fountains on the Big Island of Hawai‘i [1]. This activity is part of Kīlauea’s 48th eruptive episode [2].

Similar sightings have occurred in the past, including a reported event on Nov. 11, 2025 [4]. During that earlier instance, reports indicated the steam devil appeared next to an eruption reaching a height of 304 km [1]. However, other reports of the volcano's activity describe the events as typical lava fountain eruptions without specifying that height [1].

The formation of a volnado requires a specific set of conditions where the ground is significantly hotter than the air above it. As the superheated gases and steam rise rapidly, they can begin to rotate if there is sufficient wind shear or instability in the local atmosphere. This creates a localized, spinning column of vapor that resembles a small tornado, though it lacks the destructive power of a traditional weather-based tornado.

Scientists use these observations to better understand how heat transfer works during active eruptions. By studying the behavior of the steam and the conditions that trigger the vortex, researchers can gain more insight into the volcano's behavior during its current eruptive cycle [5].

“A rare volcanic steam devil, nicknamed a “volnado,” was captured on video.”

The appearance of 'volnados' highlights the extreme temperature gradients present during Kīlauea's eruptive episodes. While visually spectacular, these steam devils are atmospheric responses to intense thermal energy rather than tectonic shifts. Their occurrence allows volcanologists to study the interaction between magma-driven heat and the immediate atmosphere, providing data on gas emission rates and thermal buoyancy.