Why are most beaches on Montserrat gray or brown?

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Montserrat Lush mountain vegetation on Montserrat, Lesser Antilles.

Most beaches on the island of Montserrat feature gray or brown sand primarily due to the island's volcanic origins.1

The island is characterized by a rugged landscape shaped by mountainous areas, including the Soufrière Hills, which have experienced significant volcanic activity. Because the island is formed from this volcanic material, the sand on its beaches reflects the dark, mineral-rich composition of the local geology rather than the light-colored coral or shell fragments found on many other Caribbean islands. Rendezvous Bay, located in the north, is the only exception on the island, as it is the site of its single white-sand beach.1