Montserrat

Montserrat is a small island that was devastated by hurricane Hugo in 1989. Prior to that disaster, many musicians famous came here to record at George Martin's (of Beatles recording fame) AIR studios. He still keeps an estate here - it's on Penny Lane (seriously). Jimmy Buffet used to have a house here, which is where he wrote "Volcano". I'm sure he wishes he hadn't been so prescient, because in 1995 the Soufrière Hills volcano, which had been dormant for decades, became active. There were severe eruptions in 1997, forcing the permanent evacuation of the entire southern end of the island, which had been the center of the population and included the main port and the capital. The eruptions have continued intermittently since then, and the "exclusion zone" boundaries get moved back and forth slightly depending upon recent activity, but half of the island is still off limits. The current population of 5,000 is less than half of what it was in 1995.

Leaving Guadeloupe at Sunrise

The Soufrière Hiils volcano appears to sending out a bird (a Phoenix?) as I approach the island.

The steam on the right side of the photo is from the active volcano, which is shrouded in clouds most of the time. You can see fresh ash deposits on the grey slope to the left.

This alluvial fan of ash is covering what was once a golf course.

Some of the musicians who once recorded here donated a beautiful new community cultural center after the disaster. The "hall of hands" includes Elton John, Phil Collins, Mark Knopfler, Sting, Eric Clapton, and shown here, Paul McCartney.