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

The airmail stamp below was issued to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the base

The next shows Captain James Cook at Kerguelen

The next shows "terror at arched rock"

The next shows satellite communication with the island

The following views of Kerguelen were in a booklet issued in 2007

 

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