The volcano from The Lord of the Rings is about to erupt

A New Zealand volcano made famous by the Lord of the Rings films is currently rumbling into action, according to a warning issued by volcano monitoring service GNS Science.

The warning said Mount Ruapehu, which last erupted in 2007, is currently experiencing “moderate to heightened volcanic unrest” and there is a significant possibility of “eruption hazards.”

GNS Science also issued an aviation warning, saying the “volcano is experiencing signs of elevated unrest above known background levels.”

“We recommend climbers, trampers and walkers do not enter the zone” Paul Carr, an operations manager for Tongariro National Park where the volcano is located, said in a news release. “Guiding companies should also heed the advice and not take people into the zone.”

Building towards an explosion?

He noted that Ruapehu is an active volcano, has gone through bouts of activity and therefore was being continuously observed. Both the Department of Conservation and GNS Science are tracking Ruapehu’s activity.

“We will update the warning when more information is available. Both the DOC and GeoNet websites will be kept updated,” Carr said.

Harry Keys, a volcanologist with the DOC, said his agency’s warning systems are functioning properly and constantly being tested. In addition to watching for a volcanic eruption, the agency is also on the lookout for lahars, or mudflows associated with volcanic activity.

“People should be aware of an increased possibility of lahars on the Round the Ruapehu Mountain Track,” Keys said. “Rivers draining the Crater Lake and Summit Hazard Zone might suddenly rise so people approaching the Whangaehu, Mangaturuturu, Whakapapaiti and Whakapapanui streams in particular should be conscious of potential lahar noise from upstream, and make their way across these streams quickly.”

Crater Lake is the name given to the body of water that fills the volcano’s caldera between eruptions, and observers have found the temperature of the lake has climbed from 77 degrees F to 115 degrees F since mid-April.

Every year, thousands of people hike the Tongariro Crossing, 12-mile alpine trail that winds through all three volcanoes in the area. The DOC said the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is not included in the current warning.

—–

Image credit: Mirko Thiessen/Creative Commons

The post The volcano from The Lord of the Rings is about to erupt appeared first on Redorbit.

redOrbit.com
offers Science, Space, Technology, Health news, videos, images and reference information. For the latest science news, space news, technology news, health news visit redOrbit.com frequently. Learn something new every day.”