Anatahan

Anatahan is an island in the Northern Mariana Islands in the Pacific Ocean, and has one of the most active volcanoes of the archipelago. Although formerly inhabited, the island is currently uninhabited due to the constant danger of volcanic eruptions. Anatahan is located northwest of Farallon de Medinilla and north of Saipan. It last erupted between 2007 and 2008, and also erupted in 2003. Anatahan is the site of a curious WW2 tale in which about 30 Japanese soldiers stayed here until 1951 before surrendering, during that time they lived with a local woman until 1950. After the island was inhabited until 1990 when an earthquake struck leading to its evacuation. History The island was first charted by Europeans in late October 1543 by Spanish explorer Bernardo de la Torre on board of the carrack San Juan de Letrán when trying to return from Sarangani to New Spain. At the time, the island was settled by the Chamorros. In 1695, the natives were forcibly removed to Saipan and, three years later, to Guam. Under Spanish rule, coconut plantations were developed for the production of copra. In 1884, an estimated 125 tons were exported.