Description
A rare dust devil forms over the southeast coast of Maui island Hawaii on November 1 2007. Dust devils common on the plains of the lower 48 states are unusual on the islands. They form as a result of very unstable air in the lowest portions of the atmosphere but are not associated with convective clouds as with a waterspout or tornado. The spin also develops from the ground on up through a column of air. In this instance the reddish brown volcanic soil makes for the colorful whirlwind.
