Kerguelen Islands, South Indian Ocean
The islands were discovered in 1772 by Yves de Kerguelen-Trémarec.
They consist of one big island, approximately 6,400 square
km and about 400 smaller islands.
The big island is composed of four shield volcanoes, the youngest
being Mt.Ross.
In addition to the volcanoes, there are the eroded roots of
volcanoes; various intrusive complexes.
Radiometric dates indicate volcanism as old as 40 Ma, with
a second major phase at 25 Ma.
Cinder cones associated with Mt. Ross date to 200,000 years.
The stamp illustrated below was issued January 1st 1988.
The airmail stamp below was issued in 1970
Click here to return
to map of Indian Ocean
Click here to return to home page