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Summary The results of bathymetric, gravimetric and seismic reflection surveys over the Aves Ridge and Grenada Trough (eastern Caribbean) are presented. The Aves Ridge is a submerged linear prominence typically formed of two flanking ridges enclosing a sediment filled trough in which occur seismic reflectors similar to those found in the Venezuela Basin and Grenada Trough. The short wavelength gravity anomalies of the Aves Ridge may be adequately explained in terms of structures in the sediment/basement interface. The Aves Ridge is underlain by a mass deficiency which may be interpreted in terms of a thickened crust with consequent depression of the Moho and lowest crustal layer. The positive Bouguer anomalies of the Grenada Trough are probably due to a relatively shallow Moho. The Aves Ridge and Grenada Trough typically exhibit negative isostatic anomalies and the Lesser Antilles define a linear belt of positive isostatic anomalies. These new results support the suggestion that the Aves Ridge is an ancient island arc.

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