Mt. Ngauruhoe is New Zealand’s newest and historically most active volcano, producing more than 70 eruptive episodes since 1839. Though it’s been active for 2,500 years, there’s been no eruptions since 19th February 1975. Cooling temperatures in fumaroles in the crater floor since 1979 suggest the main vent is becoming blocked.
Fans of the Lord of the Rings films directed by Peter Jackson might recognize Mt. Ngauruhoe and the surrounding Tongariro National Park as the backdrop for the menacing Mount Doom, where Sauron forged the One Ring. While the volcano is not a home base of evil in real life, Australian Reece Crowther came within inches of meeting his own doom while skiing on the mountain.
As a few rocks tumbled down the mountain, one narrowly missed his head by around a foot. Assuming Reece was wearing helmet there’s a good chance he would have survived the rock hitting him, but it easily could be deadly if it hit the right spot.
