The Kerguelen Plateau ( /ˈkɜːrɡələn/, /kərˈɡeɪlən/),[1] also known as the Kerguelen–Heard Plateau,[2] is an oceanic plateau and large igneous province (LIP) located on the Antarctic Plate, in the southern Indian Ocean.[3] It is about 3,000 km (1,900 mi) to the southwest of Australia and is nearly three times the size of California. The plateau extends for more than 2,200 km (1,400 mi) in a northwest–southeast direction and lies in deep water.
The plateau was produced by the Kerguelen hotspot, starting with or following the breakup of Gondwana about 130 million years ago. A small portion of the plateau breaks sea level, forming the Kerguelen Islands (a French overseas territory) plus the Heard and McDonald Islands (an Australian external territory). Intermittent volcanism continues on the Heard and McDonald Islands.
- ^ Oxford English Dictionary
- ^ Munschy & Schlich 1987
- ^ UT Austin 1999