Australia Post is celebrating Australia’s volcanic past by releasing a new set of stamps featuring landforms that are the remnants of four Australian volcanoes – Table Cape, Wollumbin Mount Warning, Mount Elephant and Lord Howe Island.

Over the last 40 million years much of eastern Australia has been subject to episodic volcanic activity, although none of the volcanoes on the Australian continent are now active.

Australia Post’s Group Philatelic Manager Michael Zsolt said the new stamp issue highlighted the country’s rich volcanic history and would appeal to those interested in geology and the Australian landscape.

“More than 4,000 kilometres of Australia’s east coast was forged by volcanic activity from tens of millions of years ago to just 5,000 years ago,” he said.

“This stamp issue will hopefully encourage more people to visit one of Australia’s many fascinating and beautiful volcanic landforms.”

Vulcanologist Dr Heather Handley said the geological community was incredibly excited about the new stamp release and hoped it would encourage more Australians to learn about the volcanoes that have shaped this continent.

“As someone who is passionate about geology and volcanoes in particular, I’m thrilled to see these wonderful examples showcased in this way,” she said.

“We have some spectacular volcanoes in Australia, and it’s important to share with others the way they’ve impacted and influenced our geography.”

The stamp designs feature:

$1.10     Table Cape, Tasmania

Rising dramatically 170 metres from the sea, Table Cape last erupted around 12 million years ago. Situated in north-western Tasmania, what is seen today was likely once a lake of lava that filled the crater and then solidified.

$1.10 Wollumbin Mount Warning, New South Wales

Wollumbin Mount Warning, forms part of Tweed Volcano, which was active around 23 million years ago. In its prime, its diameter reached over 100 kilometres and it would have been about 2,000 metres above present-day sea level. Its now heavily eroded form gives an extraordinary view into the inner structures and workings of this type of volcano.

$1.10     Mount Elephant, Victoria

Situated in the Newer Volcanics Province, in Victoria, Mount Elephant rises 200 metres above the surrounding plain. With a fantastic example of a breached crater, the rim was likely caused by lava flow which resulted in a collapse or partial removal. Recent research indicates that this volcano erupted 184,000 years ago.

$1.10 Lord Howe Island, New South Wales

Lord Howe Island is the remnant of an extinct shield volcano that last erupted about seven million years ago with a dramatic, jagged spire of eroded lava sticking out of the ocean, called Ball’s Pyramid. It is part of the Lord Howe Seamount Chain, a long trail of volcanoes rising from the ocean floor.

The stamps and associated products are on sale now at participating Post Offices, via mail order on 1800 331 794, and online while stocks last.

Additional products associated with this stamp issue include a stamp pack, booklet of 20 stamps, first day covers and set of maxicards. For more information visit auspost.com.au/shop/sending/stamps  or australiapostcollectables.com.au