Geologist launches book on “Geology of the Cayman Islands”

(CMR) Renowned geologist Dr. Brian Jones recently launched the book “Geology of the Cayman Islands: Evolution of Complex Carbonate Successions on Isolated Oceanic Islands.”  Water Authority – Cayman hosted the official book launch reception on 3 May 2023 at the George Town Yacht Club to celebrate this momentous occasion.

Dr. Brian Jones is Professor Emeritus of Geology in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Canada. He has a long and distinguished career in sedimentary geology. Since the early 1980s, Dr. Jones, his colleagues, and students have conducted scientific geological research throughout the Cayman Islands.

This work has resulted in the training of numerous Ph.D. and MSc students and over 100 scientific papers in various academic publications and scientific journals. It also has made a significant contribution to the work of the Water Authority, Department of Environment, National Trust, and the private sector.

The book launch reception was part of the Authority’s 40th-anniversary celebration as Dr. Jones started his geological research in the Cayman Islands around the same time the Water Authority was established. At the reception, Dr. Gelia Frederick-van Genderen, Water Authority Director, expressed her appreciation for the unique relationship between Dr. Jones and the Authority. She stated:

“The Water Authority has such a long and good relationship with Dr. Brian Jones. The Authority and the Cayman Islands have benefitted so much from his research and advice. The book is a unique gift to the Cayman Islands in documenting in one place Dr. Jones’ detailed knowledge and insight in the geology of these islands. Scientists, teachers, students, engineers, and the general public with interest in geology will now have access to this information.”

At the reception, Dr Jones reflected on his 40-year journey here in the Cayman Islands.

“When I made my first trip to the Cayman Islands in 1982, I did not expect that I would still be visiting the islands 40 years later. The geology is complex and has given my colleagues and I such great opportunities,” he said.

“The Cayman Islands have been very good to my students and I in facilitating our research. Over the years, I have met and worked with so many wonderful and helpful people here. It took me about a year to write the book and to assemble all the necessary photographs and diagrams, I am so happy that it has made so much of my work available to a broad audience,” he added.

The highlight of the reception was the presentation of the book by Dr. Brian Jones to Chief Officer of the Ministry of Sustainability & Climate Resiliency, Jennifer Ahearn, the Acting Deputy Chief Officer of the Ministry of District Administration & Lands, Nicola Anderson-Wildman, and to the Chairman of the Water Authority Board, Darrel Rankine.

The book is a unique and thorough record of the specific geological research that Dr. Jones and his colleagues have done in the Cayman Islands, and it is based on an extensive database of fieldwork and laboratory analyses. The book is lavishly illustrated and is about 300 pages, it summarises the current state of knowledge regarding the geology of the Cayman Islands.

The public can order their copy of Dr. Jones’ book at the Next Chapter bookstore in Camana Bay or at the National Trust Office in South Sound. Alternatively, it can be ordered online through the publishers’ website, Springer, or on Amazon.