WASHINGTON — Something unusual was spotted swirling inside the summit crater of Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano during its latest eruption this week, leading scientists to declare a “volnado.”

It all started when lava emerged from the north vent in Halemaumau Crater after midnight. The vent began shooting fountains of lava at 6:35 a.m. HST, the U.S. Geological Survey said. By mid-morning, it was also erupting from the crater’s south vent and a third vent in between.

The USGS shared footage Tuesday of a whirlwind forming inside Halemaumaucrater as the lava fountains shot hundreds of feet into the air. The vortex, which resembled a dust devil or tornado, kicked up loose ash deposits and smoke as it spun across the crater floor before dissipating in the lava fountain.

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