<P> 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 territory ) plus the Heard and McDonald Islands ( an Australian territory ) . Intermittent volcanism continues on the Heard and McDonald Islands . </P>
<P> 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 territory ) plus the Heard and McDonald Islands ( an Australian territory ) . Intermittent volcanism continues on the Heard and McDonald Islands . </P>
when did the kerguelen plateaus start to form
when did the kerguelen plateaus start to form
about 130 million years ago
about 130 million years ago