The volcano known as Mount Doom in "Lord of The Rings" has awakened and it's ready to blow. In real life, it's known as Mount Ruapehu and it is found within the Tongariro National Park in New Zealand. The county has already warned hikers to steer clear of the area.
Mount Ruapehu was used as the backdrop for Peter Jackson's award-winning trilogy "Lord of the Rings." It is the site of Mordor where the evil Sauron resides and it figured heavily in the film's ending. The actual volcano, which also erupted in 2007, is slowly showing signs of unrest again.
Temperatures Rise In 'Lord Of The Rings' Volcano Site
New Zealand's GeoNet has raised the alert around Mount Ruapehu to Level Two to indicate "moderate to heightened volcanic unrest." It is one level below a small eruption and there have been many Level Two episodes in recent weeks. The volcano has exhibited the same unrest in 2010, but no eruption has occurred.
One does not simply walk into Mordor, hikers warned https://t.co/ShFGivmqjw
— The Independent (@Independent) May 11, 2016
Mount Ruapehu's temparature has been increasing from 68 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 45 degrees Celsius) as well, hence the public is asked to be on alert. "We recommend climbers, trampers and walkers (not to) enter the zone," said Tongariro National Park operations manager Paul Carr via CNN. Tour guides are also asked to follow the advice and forego bringing people in the area for their own safety.
Volcanologists say Mount Ruapehu (Mount Doom to #LOTR fans) in #NZ upgraded to heightened unrest. Eruption potential pic.twitter.com/IajkjLCWhd — Stephanie Froese (@StephanieFroese) May 12, 2016
'Lord Of The Rings' Volcano A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Conde Nast Traveler reports that every year, thousands of tourists come to visit the "Lord of The Rings" volcano. It is part of the Tongariro Crossing trek along with Ngauruhoe and Tongariro, or the two other active volcanoes in the area. These sites are now temporarily off limits. Watch the last "Lord of the Rings" volcano eruption in the video below:
