Video: 'Lord of the Rings' volcano erupts in New Zealand Mount Tongariro is one of three active volcanoes in Tongariro National Park, which was used as the backdrop for many of the scenes in The Lord of the Rings films. Schoolchildren and dozens of other hikers who were walking on trails along the mountain's base had to be evacuated. Volcanologist Nico Fournier said the eruption lasted about five minutes and was largely unexpected: "We've got volcanoes which show a lot of warnings and some volcanoes don't. And Tongariro is one of those.