subject: Cayman Islands Holidays - Geology [print this page] While walking along Seven Mile Beach you probably aren't thinking about the makeup of the islands that comprise the Cayman Islands.
The bedrock of all the three islands is built up from the external skeletons of millions of tiny marine organisms, just like those that form the reefs of today. This rock is known as porous limestone.
Over 40 million years ago major tectonic movement along the boundary of the Caribbean and North American plates created a ridge from Cuba to Nicaragua in Central America. Mounds were formed by this ridge, which created the right conditions to allow corals to begin to form. This combined with changes in the Earth's climate and changing sea levels formed the Cayman Islands.
As the reefs grew they formed a barrier to large ocean swells, which protected the delicate islands and allowed vegetation to grow. Also as the sea levels reduced large caves were formed in the limestone as it dissolved and as sea levels rose the ironshore rock formations were made from remnants of more recent (in geology terms) reefs.
These reefs are some of the best diving or snorkelling areas in the world. Apart form the numerous marine life, there are crystal clear waters. You may not have thought about it, but the Cayman Islands don't have any rivers. Rivers carry sediment to the sea, which would make the sea close to the shore cloudy. Despite the fact that the three islands only cover 100 square miles they have a diverse of habitats, lagoons, beaches, mangrove and of course the reefs.
The beaches were made by the reefs and their inhabitants and the reefs provide a protective barrier for the lagoons. They may be fragile, but reefs have produced three populated islands. It is important that these amazing structures are protected, or it could be move than just marine life that finds that they have become homeless.
Always obey the marine laws when diving, snorkelling or using boats around the coast of the Cayman Islands. Report anyone who you feel is destroying this wonderful habitat.
Cayman Islands Holidays - Geology
By: John Guinn
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