CARIBBEAN WINDWARD ISLANDS
The Grenadines, a chain of small islands composed of volcanic and sedimentary rocks, lie on a line between Saint Vincent and Grenada in the Lesser Antilles. Located in the Southern Grenadines are the Tobago Cays - an archipelago comprising five small islands and extensive coral reefs cays. The Grenadines are geologically situated on an extensive shallow bank of volcanic origin known as the southern Lesser Antilles arc platform (SLAAP) - an active subduction zone, lying along the interface of the Caribbean and South American Tectonic plates.
Surrounding the Tobago Cays are several shallow fringing reefs around the islands, and a major bank-barrier reef known as Horseshoe Reef. Other major reefs include World’s End Reef and Mayreau Gardens. The fringing reefs around Mayreau and the Mayreau Gardens reef are considered to be the most biodiverse.
Sailing with her husband, Dr. Alshuth explored and photographed the turquoise waters of St. Vincents and the Grenadines & Tobago Cays, the reefs around Bequia, Canouan, Union, Mayreau islands and the Tobago Cays, and studied the biodiversity of the reef ecosystem and its anthropogenic impacts - on this largest remaining pristine coral reef in the Windward Islands.
Click on any picture below to start slide show.
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![Spectacular deep water vistas with unusual Pillar Coral formations at seaward reef slope of Horseshoe Reef in Tobago Cays. Spectacular deep water vistas with unusual Pillar Coral formations at seaward reef slope of Horseshoe Reef in Tobago Cays.](images/grenadines/IMG_1986_g10it3.png)
![Caribbean Reef Squid (Sepioteuthis sepioidea) - communicate using a variety of color, shape, and texture changes. Caribbean Reef Squid (Sepioteuthis sepioidea) - communicate using a variety of color, shape, and texture changes.](images/grenadines/IMG_1729_g10it8.png)
![Threats to the reefs include anthropogenic impacts such as increasing number of visiting yachts and non-sustainable use. Threats to the reefs include anthropogenic impacts such as increasing number of visiting yachts and non-sustainable use.](images/grenadines/IMG_1416_g10it10.png)
![Large predators like Nurse Sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum) are frequent visitors of Tobago Cays' Penguin Channel. Large predators like Nurse Sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum) are frequent visitors of Tobago Cays' Penguin Channel.](images/grenadines/IMG_1839_g10it11.png)
![Exploring Mayreau Gardens reef's biodiversity. The circumtropical Scrawled Filelfish (Aluterus scriptus). Exploring Mayreau Gardens reef's biodiversity. The circumtropical Scrawled Filelfish (Aluterus scriptus).](images/grenadines/ Grenadines_g10it12.png)
![Queen Angelfish ((Holacanthus ciliaris) juvenile's blue colors help them to blend in with the reefs. Queen Angelfish ((Holacanthus ciliaris) juvenile's blue colors help them to blend in with the reefs.](images/grenadines/IMG_1951.JPG_g10it14.png)
![An uprooted tree drifting by with a school of pelagic Spotted Oceanic Triggerfish (Canthidermis maculata) calling it home. An uprooted tree drifting by with a school of pelagic Spotted Oceanic Triggerfish (Canthidermis maculata) calling it home.](images/grenadines/IMG_2153_g10it18.png)
ST. VINCENTS AND THE GRENADINES & TOBAGO CAYS