- An ash plume more than one mile high was seen from the Te Marri crater
- Some 30 to 50 people were evacuated from the mountain in New Zealand
- Eruption warnings have been issued in the past for the mountain
A group of 90 schoolchildren fled from a volcano in New Zealand dubbed 'Mount Doom' featured in Lord of the Rings after it erupted today.
An ash plume more than 5,280ft high was seen emitting from the Te Maari crater on Tongariro Mountain there was a thick smell of sulphur in the air making it difficult to breathe.
The pupils from Napier, who were walking the Tongariro track with six parents and four teachers, are believed to be safe along with other hikers despite being less than a mile from the eruption.
'Mount Doom' erupts: The Te Maari crater on Mount Tongariro erupted today sending an ash plume more than a mile into the air
‘We were probably only a kilometre away from it. We were right next to one of the signs saying we were out of the danger zone.
Flee for their lives: Hikers can be seen making their way down the mountain as the ash plume billowed into the air today. No injuries were reported
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2236191/Mt-Tongariro-erupted-New-Zealands-Mount-Doom-volcano-Lord-Rings-erupts.html#ixzz2CvDf3kC0
