A New Zealand volcano erupted with a brief blast of dark  ash Wednesday, canceling flights but causing no significant damage.  Schoolchildren and dozens of other hikers who were walking on trails along the  mountain's base were safe.

The eruption of Mount Tongariro, its second  in less than four months, sent a dark ash plume about 1.9 miles into the sky. Authorities issued a no-fly alert above the mountain located in  the sparsely populated area of central North Island.

Tongariro National Park, which has three active  volcanoes, was the backdrop for many scenes  in "The Lord of the Rings" movies

Here's a good link to see it: http://photoblog.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/21/15332545-volcano-erupts-in-new-zealands-lord-of-the-rings-park?lite