Norfolk Island
Norfolk Island (167°57'E 29°02'S) lies in the South Pacific Ocean, 1,676 km north-east of Sydney, NSW. The Territory of Norfolk Island covers 3,727 ha, and includes Norfolk, Phillip and Nepean islands.
The remnant of an elongated shield volcano which rose from the ocean 2.3 million to 3 million years ago, Norfolk Island is basically a plateau made up of horizontal sheets of basalt. The highest point, Mount Bates, climbs to 319 m above sea level. The islands of the territory perch on a shelf that is 95 km long, north to south, and 35 km wide, east to west.
Captain James Cook made first landfall on the island in 1788. Over the next 26 years, 40% of its natural vegetation was cleared and today only 5% of the native forest remains undisturbed. The island's symbol, the Norfolk pine, may grow taller than 60 m, with a girth of up to 11 m.
On Phillip Island, the introduction of rabbits led to the denuding of the island, which became a virtual desert. The rabbits were trapped out by 1986, however, and regeneration of the native vegetation is now rapidly taking place. The entire island is now part of Norfolk Island National Park, which covers 550 ha and also includes the Mount Pitt Section of Norfolk Island.
References
- Department of the Environment, Heritage, Water and the Arts (Australia). 2008. "European history", Norfolk Island National Park. Retrieved 16 August 2008 from http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/norfolk/culture-history/european-history.html
- Department of the Environment, Heritage, Water and the Arts (Australia). 2008. "Norfolk Island National Park", Norfolk Island National Park. Retrieved 16 August 2008 from http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/norfolk/index.html
- Geoscience Australia. 2003. "Norfolk Island." Retrieved 16 August 2008 from http://www.ga.gov.au/education/facts/dimensions/externalterr/norfolk.htm