Mount Ruapehu eruption risk: Hikers warned away from ‘Lord of the Rings’ volcano in New Zealand

Natural landmark inspired trilogy’s Mount Doom and last erupted nine years ago

Gabriel Samuels
Wednesday 11 May 2016 11:47 BST
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Thousands of hikers travel to Ruapehu every year to soak in the surroundings
Thousands of hikers travel to Ruapehu every year to soak in the surroundings

New Zealand has told tourists and hikers they could be putting themselves in danger if they visit a volcanic region made famous by the Lord of the Rings film trilogy.

The eruption alert level for the Mount Ruapehu volcano in Tongariro National Park has been raised following a dramatic spike in temperatures over the past fortnight.

Ruapehu played a key role as Mount Doom in Mordor for the backdrop to Peter Jackson’s epic cinematic trilogy and last erupted in September 2007.

The area is popular with walkers, who have been warned by the country’s Department of Conservation to avoid the summit hazard zone until the situation improves.

Geoff Kilgour, volcanologist at New Zealand’s GNS research centre, told The Independent: “Ruapehu has been on a level 1 alert for some time, but we had to raise that after the crater zone lake appeared to heat up very rapidly, a significant spike of 20 degrees in two weeks.”

Ruapehu now sits on level 2 alert, meaning greater volcanic disturbance and an increased risk of an eruption.

He continued: “We believe this could develop into a bigger event so we agree that hikers should take advice before travelling to the national park.”

Thousands of tourists journey to Tongariro every year to make a 12-mile alpine crossing taking in the park’s three huge volcanoes.

GNS confirmed that tests were ongoing and they will continue to monitor the situation closely as it develops.

In 1996, Ruapehu’s dramatic double eruption closed local airports and had a devastating impact on local agriculture.

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