16 Extreme Places People Actually Live

Miyake-jima Island, Japan

Don’t forget to pack your sunscreen, bathing suit, and… gas mask?

Image: Hit1912/Shutterstock

This Japanese volcanic island is known for the mandatory order that all inhabitants must carry a gas mask at all times. An active volcano, once dormant for 17 years, erupted in 2000 and spewed up to 20,000 tons of sulfuric dioxide each day. After the evacuation order was relaxed, residents slowly trickled home. As a safety measure, sirens now alert the locals to high levels of toxins in the air.