Montserrat

Montserrat, a lush, green and mountainous island was known as the Caribbean's "Emerald Isle", although recently half the island has disappeared under a blanket of gray ash after the Soufrière Hills volcano erupted in 1995 after 350 years of dormancy.

The 39sq mi/100sq km island lays 27mi/43km southwest of Antigua. Because of the recent eruptions only the Northern Zone of the island is inhabited. All the beaches but one are covered in black sand from volcanic activity. Eruptions destroyed Montserrat's airport, leaving the island reachable only by boat. Ferries from Antigua visit four times weekly.

Scientists monitor all seismic activity in the Exclusion Zone, so the island is always safe to visit.

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