'Mount Doom' Neighbor Erupts

Mount Tongariro, a neighbor of the New Zealand volcano used as "Mount Doom" in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, erupted today, the Australian reports. No significant damage was reported, and dozens of hikers—including schoolchildren—who were on trails near the mountain's base are safe. But flights have been canceled, and more could be affected; some had worried that could impact next week's world premiere of The Hobbit. Tongariro National Park was the backdrop for quite a few LOTR scenes, the AP notes. (More Mount Tongariro stories.)