From porous limestone to Caymanite rock, found nowhere else in the world, the Cayman Islands are made up of unique layers of rocks, which are featured in the new textbook “Origin of Carbonate Sedimentary Rocks”.

The Education Ministry’s Councillor Winston Connolly accepted a copy on behalf of Minister Tara Rivers, at the Water Authority Cayman (WAC) headquarters yesterday (Monday, 12 October, 2015).

While it targets upper-level undergraduate students, the book is written as a reference guide for most readers. “There are full colour photos and illustrations, and is it as up-to-date as we could make it,” said co-author Dr. Brian Jones.

Although the book has a much broader focus than the geology of the Cayman Islands, the extensive research that Dr. Jones has done here over the last 30 years has contributed greatly to the publication he added.

Councillor Connolly thanked Dr Jones and the WAC for the ‘amazing’ publication. “We are grateful that someone of your stature is imparting this knowledge, and that our students and professionals will receive the benefit of such a world-class publication,” he said.

Present at yesterday’s presentations were WAC Director Dr. Gelia Frederick-van Genderen, Water Resources Engineer Hendrik-Jan van Genderen and other staff of the organisation.

Also yesterday, Professor Jones held a lecture at WAC for almost two dozen teachers, as well as staff of the National Trust, and the Department of the Environment. Meanwhile a free public lecture is set for St. Matthew’s University at 6.00p.m. today (Tuesday, 13 October).

As this is Geology Education Week 2015 (October 12-16), the Water Authority is presenting copies of the book to all participating high schools in the Cayman Islands. Dr. Jones is also giving geology lessons to local students.

All of these events have been made possible by the support of the Authority, which has hosted Geology Week for three years now.

The Water Authority has a long and mutually beneficial working relationship with Dr. Jones. He and his colleague, Queen’s University geology professor Dr. Noel James, published the textbook in August. It will soon be on sale at the National Trust.

Potential readers may use the following online reference: http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-1118652703.html

Photo Credits: Lennon Christian / Government Information Services

(L) Co-author Dr. Brian Jones presents to Councillor Winston Connolly. Also pictured is WAC Director Dr. Gelia Frederick-van Genderen.