Hugh Davies, ‘Father of Geology in Papua New Guinea,’ Passes

Known as the father of geology in Papua New Guinea, Hugh Lucius Davies passed away on April 26 at the age of 89.

He was born in Perth, Western Australia on April 8, 1935, where he grew up and graduated from the University of Western Australia with a bachelor’s in 1955. He first arrived in Papua New Guinea in 1956 as a geologist with the Bureau of Mineral Resources, Geology and Geophysics (BMR; now Geoscience Australia). From 1957-61 he was attached to the PNG Geological Survey. In 1963 UWA conferred him an MSc. He commenced his doctoral studies at Stanford University in 1963, working on the Papuan Ultramafic Belt ophiolite. In California, he met and married Connie Lou Hagen in 1964, subsequently remarking that their $10 marriage license was the best money he ever spent. From 1965-68, the couple lived in PNG, where Davies undertook more field work for his doctorate. The BMR seconded Davies to the PNG government from 1967-71. In 1968 and ‘69, he and Connie returned to Stanford, which conferred him a doctorate in 1970.

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Known as the father of geology in Papua New Guinea, Hugh Lucius Davies passed away on April 26 at the age of 89.

He was born in Perth, Western Australia on April 8, 1935, where he grew up and graduated from the University of Western Australia with a bachelor’s in 1955. He first arrived in Papua New Guinea in 1956 as a geologist with the Bureau of Mineral Resources, Geology and Geophysics (BMR; now Geoscience Australia). From 1957-61 he was attached to the PNG Geological Survey. In 1963 UWA conferred him an MSc. He commenced his doctoral studies at Stanford University in 1963, working on the Papuan Ultramafic Belt ophiolite. In California, he met and married Connie Lou Hagen in 1964, subsequently remarking that their $10 marriage license was the best money he ever spent. From 1965-68, the couple lived in PNG, where Davies undertook more field work for his doctorate. The BMR seconded Davies to the PNG government from 1967-71. In 1968 and ‘69, he and Connie returned to Stanford, which conferred him a doctorate in 1970.

In 1971-72, Hugh led mapping in PNG that included the Ok Tedi copper-gold prospect. From 1973-1981, the BMR again seconded him to the PNG government. Davies was deeply involved in developing Ok Tedi, as executive secretary of the Ok Tedi Steering Committee and as managing director of the Ok Tedi Development Company from 1973 to ‘ 77. OTDC’s exploration efforts confirmed a high-grade copper deposit, leading BHP Billiton to agree to develop the mine in 1977. In 1978, as Crosby visiting professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he lectured and analyzed Papuan ophiolite rocks.

Davies, Connie and their four children moved to Canberra, Australia, in 1981, and he worked at the BMR until 1989. His primary focus was marine geology and included research voyages to the Solomon Sea (1983-84), Lord Howe Rise (1985), Kerguelen Plateau (1985-86) and Great Australian Bight (1986). In 1987, Davies was visiting professor at the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle in Paris. In Canberra, he was an active member of the Burley Griffin Swimming Club. And taking advantage of the nearby Snowy Mountains, Davies and his family became avid backcountry and cross-country skiers.

In 1989, following 33 years with the BMR, Davies was appointed professor of geology at the University of Papua New Guinea. From 1989-96 and 2002-2007, he served as head of Earth sciences. He restructured the geology degree program and created an internationally competitive geology department. Renowned for his significant contributions to the geological mapping and interpretation of PNG, Hugh’s research and mentorship of numerous PNG students has left a lasting national impact, particularly in the minerals and energy sectors. Hugh remained at UPNG until 2018, when he and Connie retired to Canberra. As an honorary visiting professor at the Australian National University until his death, Davies’ “retirement” consisted of daily PNG research, helping former students, and connecting with colleagues globally.

Hugh’s approximately 150 papers, reports, maps, and abstracts encompass PNG and marine geology. His books include “Earth Tok,” an introductory geology textbook from a PNG perspective, and “Aitape Story: The Great New Guinea Tsunami of 1998.” He authored or co-authored half (11 of 22) of the published geological maps of PNG at 1:250,000 scale.

Davies’ leadership roles included chief government geologist of the newly formed PNG Geological Survey (1973-81), executive manager of the newly formed Geological Survey Division at the PNG Mineral Resources Authority (2007-09), and chairman of the PNG National Disaster Awareness and Preparedness Committee (1999-2007). In 2001, he founded and became inaugural director of UPNG’s Center for Disaster Reduction.

Davies’ oft-repeated mantra was “giving yourself to help others.” Humble, dedicated, and a quiet achiever, he accrued multiple honors and recognition. In 2004, he received the AAPG Michel T. Halbouty Outstanding Leadership Award. In 2005 he was awarded the Order of the Logohu from the PNG government for services to geological education and disaster relief. In 2018, Hugh was made an officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished services to Australia-Papua New Guinea relations in the area of geological sciences and to education as an academic, author and researcher. He was also honored as a fellow of the Geological Society of America, of the Society of Economic Geologists, and of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

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