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 in 2006, 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.

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