The Montserrat Volcano

In June 1997 a huge eruption destroyed the airport on the Caribbean island of Montserrat and engulfed its main town, Plymouth, in volcanic ash. 19 people were killed but most of the population had already fled the area. In 2011 Mark Sandell heard from local broadcaster Rose Willock about the devastation.

Photo: Houses covered in ash in June 1997. Credit: Dominique Chomereau-Lamotte/AFP/Getty Images