Lee Jones is a senior geological engineer specialising in the mapping, characterisation, and modelling of geological hazards, especially those related to shrink–swell hazards. He leads the BGS geomatics facility and is experienced using Terrestrial LiDAR Systems (TLS), Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), Mobile Mapping Systems (MMS), Structure from Motion (SfM) and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). Lee is a CAA certified UAS (Chief) Pilot responsible for the safe planning and completion of ~120 flights (~46 hours) acquiring photographic, thermal and LiDAR data. He has published 60 papers (15 as first author) and 7 book chapters (h-index = 22).
Lee Jones’ biography
- 2021 – to present: CAA certified Chief UAS Pilot
- 2014 to ongoing: Project Leader
- 2000 to 2015: Project Leader: Ground Shrinkage Hazards
- 2000: ICE Geotechnical Group: 1st Prize – Best Geotechnical
- 1995 to 1999: B.Eng.(Hons), Nottingham Trent University, Civil Engineering
- 1990 to ongoing: Geological Engineer, British Geological Survey
Research interests
- Ground Shrinkage Hazards
- Specialist surveying support
Projects
- Ground-based Geomatics: Terrestrial LiDAR scanning and terrain modelling (landslides, eroding coastlines, actively growing volcanic lava domes, retreating glaciers, rock stability and subsidence feature analysis, soil erosion investigations, geo-conservation) in both the UK and overseas
- UK Shrink-Swell Clays: Sampling, geotechnical and geophysical field and laboratory testing, graphical and statistical analyses, and writing technical reports and papers
- Montserrat; Iceland; UK: Specialist surveying support to the Montserrat Volcano Observatory, West Indies, to the Virkisjokull Glacier Observatory, Iceland, to the Aldbrough Coastal Observatory, and to the Hollin Hill Landslide Field Observatory (both UK)
ORCID
Key papers
Jones, L D, Bateson, L, Hulbert, A and Cigna, F. 2026. Modelling Potential Rates of Natural Subsidence using Geological and PSI Ground Motion Data: An Experiment in Europe and Great Britain. JGR Earth Surface. DOI: 10.22541/essoar.170355052.24628258/v1
Jones, L D, Terrington, R and Hulbert, A. 2025. Enhancing the Visualisation and Analysis of Geotechnical Properties. Examples from the 3D Volume Change Potential of UK Clay Soils. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, Vol. 58, Issue 4, 2025. DOI: 10.1144/qjegh2023-160
Wignall, L, Pringle, A, Ilic, S, Pennington, C, Kirkham, M and Jones, L. 2025. Formation, Development and Movement of Ords along the Holderness Coast (UK): a comparison between 194-1998 and 2010-2020 in response to changing morphodynamic and hydrodynamic conditions. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. DOI: 10.1002/esp.70036
Bateson, L, Alvarez, I G, Arnhardt, R, Fleming, C, Hussain, E, Jones, L D, Novellino, A and Smith, K. 2025. Developing Machine Learning tools for the automatic interpretation of InSAR data. DOI: 10.5194/egusphere-egu24-14908
Watlet, A, Wilkinson, P, Whiteley, J, White, A, Uhlemann, S, Swift, R, Ouellet, S, Minto, C, Meldrum, P, Jones, L, Gunn, D, Godfrey, A, Dashwood, B, Crickmore, R, Clarkson, P, Boyd, J and Chambers, J. 2024. High-resolution geophysical monitoring of moisture accumulation preceding slope movement—a path to improved early warning. Environmental Research Letters, 124059. DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/ad8fbe
Boyd, J, Chambers, J, Wilkinson, P, Peppa, M, Watlet, A, Kirkham, M, Jones, L D, Swift, R, Ulhemann, S and Holmes, J. 2022. Coupling terrestrial laser scanning and UAV photogrammetry with geoelectrical data for better time-lapse hydrological characterisation of an active landslide. DOI: 10.5194/egusphere-egu22-5933
Jones, L D and Hobbs, P R N. 2021. The application of Terrestrial LiDAR for geohazard mapping, monitoring and modelling. Remote Sensing. DOI: 10.3390/rs13030395
O’ Dochartaigh, B E, MacDonald, A M, Black, A R, Everest, J, Wilson, P, Darling, W G, Jones, L and Raines, M. 2019. Groundwater – meltwater interaction in proglacial aquifers amid rapid glacier retreat. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences. 2019, 120.
Hobbs, P R N, Jones, L D, Kirkham, M P, Pennington, C V L, Morgan, D J R and Dashwood, C. 2019. Coastal Landslide Monitoring at Aldbrough, East Riding of Yorkshire, UK. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 21 August 2019.
Hobbs, P R N, Jones, L D, Kirkham, M P, Holyoake, S J, Pennington, C V L, Dashwood, C, Banks, V J and Reeves, H J. 2019. Establishment of a coastal landslide observatory at Aldbrough, East Riding of Yorkshire, UK. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 25 June 2019.
Jones, L D, Terrington, R, and Hulbert, A. 2018. 3-D Volume Change Potential Modelling in the London Clay (Multi-dimensional Modelling, chapter 26. In: Turner et.al. Wiley, 2018
Everest, J, Bradwell, T, Jones, L, and Hughes, L. 2017. The geomorphology of Svínafellsjökull and Virkisjökull-Falljökull, southeast Iceland: a landsystem of rapid glacial retreat. Journal of Maps
Glendell, M, Mcshane, G, Farrow, L, James, M R, Quinton, J, Anderson, K, Evans, M, Benaud, P, Rawlins, B, Morgan, D, Jones, L D, Kirkham, M, Debell, L, Quine, T A., Lark, M, Rickson, J, and Brazier, R E. 2017. Testing the utility of structure from motion photogrammetry reconstructions using small unmanned aerial vehicles and ground photography to estimate the extent of upland soil erosion. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. March 2017
Jones, L D. Expanding Soils. 2017. In: Bobrowsky, P T, and Marker, M. (eds). Earth Sciences Series. Encyclopaedia of Engineering Geology. London, UK, Meteor Springer
O’ Dochartaigh, B E, MacDonald, A M, Black, A R, Everest, J, Wilson, P, Darling, W G, Jones, L, and Raines, M. 2017. Groundwater – meltwater interaction in proglacial aquifers amid rapid glacier retreat. Nature Communication
Phillips, E, Everest, J, Evans, D J, A, Finlayson, A, Ewertowski, M, Guild, A, and Jones, L D. 2017. Concentrated, “pulsed” axial glacier flow: structural glaciological evidence from Kvíárjökull in SE Iceland. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. March 2017
Tapete, D, Banks, V, Jones, L, Kirkham, M, and Garton, D. 2017. Contextualising archaeological models with geological, airborne and terrestrial LiDAR data: The Ice Age landscape in Farndon Fields, Nottinghamshire, UK. Journal of Archaeological Science. 81 (2017), 31-48
Jones, L D. 2014. Measuring our changing Earth. Planet Earth, Autumn 2014, p28-29
Philips, E, Finlayson, A, Bradwell, T, Everest, J, and Jones, L. 2014. Structural evolution triggers a dynamic reduction in active glacier length during rapid retreat: evidence from Falljokull, SE Iceland. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface
Hobbs, P R N, Jones, L D, Kirkham, M P, Roberts, P, Haslam, E P, and Gunn, D A. 2013. A new apparatus for determining the shrinkage limit of clay soils. Geotechnique 64(3), 195-203
Philips, E, Finlayson, A, and Jones, L. 2013. Fracturing, block-faulting and moulin development associated with progressive collapse and retreat of a polar maritime glacier: Virkisjökull-Falljökull, SE Iceland. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface. 118(3), 1545-1561
Harrison, A M, Plim, J F M, Harrison, M, Jones, L D, and Culshaw, M G. 2012. The relationship between shrink–swell occurrence and climate in south-east England. Proceedings of the Geologists Association.
Jones, Lee D, and Jefferson, I. 2012. Expansive soils. In: Burland, J, (ed.) ICE manual of geotechnical engineering. Volume 1, geotechnical engineering principles, problematic soils and site investigation. London, UK, ICE Publishing, 413-441.
Jones, L D, and Terrington, R. 2011. Modelling volume change potential in the London clay. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 44 (1). 109-122. 10.1144/1470-9236/08-112.
Donnelly, L J, Jones, L D, and Ojeda, J. 2010. Landslides and mining hazards in Columbia, South America. International Association of Engineering Geology, Auckland, New Zealand, 5-10 Sept 2010.
Hobbs, P, Gibson, A, Jones, L, Poulton, C, Jenkins, G, Pearson, S, and Freeborough, K. 2010. Monitoring coastal change using terrestrial LiDAR. In: Fleming, Claire; Marsh, Stuart; Giles, Jeremy, (eds.) Elevation models for geoscience. Geological Society of London, 117-127. (Geological Society Special Publications, 345.)
Jones, L D. 2010. Making science work: How an erupting volcano on the island of Montserrat can educate and enthral. International Association of Engineering Geology, Auckland, New Zealand, 5-10 Sept 2010.
Loughlin, S C, Luckett, R, Ryan, G, Christopher, T, Hards, V, De Angelis, S, Jones, L, and Strutt, M. 2010. An overview of lava dome evolution, dome collapse and cyclicity at Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat, 2005-7. Geophysical Research Letters,37, L00E16, DOI: 10.1029/2010GL042547.
Ryan, G, Loughlin, S C, James, M, Jones, L, Calder, E, Christopher, T, Strutt, M, and Wadge, G. 2010. Growth of the lava dome and extrusion rates at Soufriere Hills Volcano Montserrat, West Indies, 2005-8. Geophysical Research Letters,37, L00E08, doi:10.1029/2009GL041477.
Jones, L D. 2009. Montserrat. Seconds from Catastrophe? Living with an active volcano. Teaching Earth Science. 34, No. 1, 20-23.
Jones, L D. 2007. The application of terrestrial LiDAR to Volcano Monitoring – An example from the Montserrat Volcano Observatory. Civil Engineering Surveyor magazine , publ: Buxton Press, November 2007, 21-23.
Donnelly, L, Jones, L D, Palmer, M, and Dilkes, C. 2006. Engineering geological and geotechnical aspects of the Soufriere Hills volcanic eruption, Montserrat. IAEG2006 Engineering Geology for tomorrow’s cities. Nottingham, UK, September 2006.
Hobbs, P R N, and Jones, L D. 2006. Shrink Rethink. Ground Engineering magazine, publ: Emap Construct, January 2006, 24-25.
Jones, L D. 2004. Cracking open the property market. Planet Earth, Autumn 2004, 30-31.
Gunn, D A, Jones, L D, Raines, M G, Entwisle, D C, and Hobbs, P R N. 2003. Laboratory measurement and correction of thermal properties for application to the rock mass. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering 23(6): 773-791.
Rowlands, K A, Jones, L D, and Whitworth M. 2003. Landslide laser scanning: a new look at an old problem. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology. 36, 155-157.
Hobbs, P R N, Jones, L D, Northmore, K J, and Entwisle, D C. 2000. Shrinkage behaviour of some tropical clays. In: Rahardjo, Toll, D, and Leong (eds.), Proceedings of the Asian Conference on Unsaturated Soils, UNSAT-ASIA 2000, Singapore. A. A. Balkema, Rotterdam, 675-680.
Hobbs, P R N, and Jones, L D. 2000. Clay shrinkage research at the British Geological Survey. Slips, Shrinks, and Swells – Clay Minerals & Geotechnics. Joint Meeting of the Clay Minerals Group of the Mineralogical Society and Engineering Group of the Geological Society. Keyworth, Nottingham, Dec 2000.
Gunn, D A, Jones, L D, McCann, D M, and Culshaw, M G. 1998. The Effects of Normal Consolidation and Partial Saturation on the Seismic Properties of Marine Sediments. Proc. Oceanology International 98 Conference. Brighton Metropole. 10-13 March, 1998.
Gunn, D A, Jones, L D, Raines, M G, Entwisle, D C, and Hobbs, P R N. 1997. Correcting Laboratory Thermal Measurements for Application to the Rock Mass. Proc. 3rd European Engineering Geology Conference. University of Newcastle. 10-14 September, 1997.
Chapters
Jones, L D. 2025. Advancing geohazard mapping and monitoring using Terrestrial LiDAR: Insights from the British Geological Survey. Geography, Earth Science and Environment: Research Highlights. DOI: 10.9734/bpi/geserh/v9/3169
Jones, L D, Jefferson, I and Banks, V. 2020. Swelling and shrinking soils. In: Giles D. (ed). UK Geohazards. Geological Society, London, Engineering Geology Special Publications, 29, 223-242.
Jones, L D, Terrington, R and Hulbert, A. 2019. 3-D Volume Change Potential Modelling in the London Clay (Multi-dimensional Modelling, chapter 26). In: Turner et al. Wiley, 2018.
Jones, L D. 2017. Expanding Soils. In: Bobrowsky, P T and Marker, M (eds). Earth Sciences Series. Encyclopaedia of Engineering Geology. London, UK, Meteor Springer.
Jones, L D and Jefferson, I. 2012. Expansive soils. In: Burland, J. (ed.) ICE Manual of Geotechnical Engineering. Volume 1: Geotechnical Engineering Principles, Problematic Soils and Site Investigation. London, UK, ICE Publishing, 413-441.
Hobbs, P, Gibson, A, Jones, L, Poulton, C, Jenkins, G, Pearson, S and Freeborough, K. 2010. Monitoring coastal change using terrestrial LiDAR. In: Fleming, Claire; Marsh, Stuart; Giles, Jeremy (eds.) Elevation Models for Geoscience. Geological Society of London, 117-127. (Geological Society Special Publications, 345).
Hobbs, P R N, Northmore, K J, Jones, L D and Entwisle, D C. 2000. Shrinkage behaviour of some tropical clays. In: Rahardjo, H., Toll, D G and Leong, E C. Unsaturated Soils for Asia. CRC Press, London. DOI: 10.1201/9781003078616
Published outputs
- Science and Engineering Ambassador for STEM Learning
- Chief BGS multi-rotor UAV Pilot
- First Aid Instructor Trainer
- Surveying Facility Manager
- Geological Hazard assessment, mapping and interpretation
- Geotechnics; Geotechnical and Geophysical soil & rock testing & analysis
- Engineering Surveying
- Ground-based & near-earth Geomatics
- Ground Shrinkage Hazards
- Coastal Landforms and Processes
Awards
- 2024: British Geotechnical Association Medal: Winner
- Geologists Association Richardson Award: Winner: 2012 Harrison, A M, Plim, J F M, Harrison, M, Jones, L D, and Culshaw, M G.
- Lloyds Science of Risk. Climate Change: Runner up: 2012 Harrison, A M, Plim, J F M, Harrison, M, Jones, L D, and Culshaw, M G.
- Lloyds Science of Risk. Hazards: Runner up: 2011 Jones, L D, and Terrington, R.
- Geotechnical Group of the Institution of Civil Engineers. Best Thesis: Winner: 2000 Jones, L D. A Shrink/Swell Classification for UK Clay Soils
Professional association
- 2000 to 2020: Fellow of the Geological Society, London
- 2017 to ongoing: Graduate Member of the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors
- 2009 to ongoing: Member of the Subsidence Forum
- 1994 to 2002: Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, London
- Treasurer, East Midlands Regional Group of the Geological Society, London
- Schools Liason, Engineering Group of the Geological Society, London