Norfolk Island rose out of volcanic activity at the base of
Mt Pitt and Mt Bates.
Basaltic rock formed through this volcanic activity underlies
most of the Norfolk Island National Park.
It is located at 29S, 168E and sits atop the Norfolk Ridge
which runs from New Zealand to New Caledonia.
The volcanic activity which built the Island extended over
a period of roughly 700,000 years, beginning about 3 million years ago.
The sea has eroded the Island to about one-third of its original
size and formed a coastline of high cliffs.
Volcanism generated four distinct rock formations, consisting
of fine to medium grained olivine basalts and tuffs (layered volcanic ash).
These are the Ball Bay Basalts (the oldest dating to about
3 million years ago),
the Duncombe Bay Basalts (2.66-2.69 million years),
the Cascade Basalts (2.4 million years)
and the Steels Point Basalts (2.33-2.39 million years).
The stamps illustrated below are shaped as a map of the Island.
They were issued in 1974.
The first day cover illustrated below was issued June 10th,
1947.
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