Real-Life ‘Mount Doom’ Predicted To Erupt Again In Near Future; New Zealand Warns Tourists To Stay Away
New Zealand has been a popular tourist destination for fans of the Lord of the Rings films since “Fellowship of the Ring” debuted in 2001. But there’s one iconic location trekkers should be weary of, and it’s the same one that Frodo and Sam were so weary of in the films: Mount Doom, properly known as Mount Ruapehu.
New Zealand is warning climbers away from the volcano, which was immortalized in popular culture as the haunt of the dark lord Sauron.
Mount Ruapehu last erupted in 2007, but GNS Science, an according to earthquake and volcano monitoring service, it may soon erupt again. “Recent visits to the volcano have confirmed an increase in the output of volcanic gas,” GNS Science said.
“There are more signs of life at the volcano,” said volcanologist Brad Scott.
The temperature has also risen drastically at Crater Lake, the large crater divide that forms between Ruapehu’s major eruptions. How drastic was that rise in temperature? It went from 25 degrees Celsius to 46 degrees Celsius since the middle of April—a clear warning sign that volcanic activity is increasing.
Scientists have raised the volcanic alert level at Mount Ruapehu to “heightened unrest.”
If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy these related stories from our archives:
0 Comments