The finding that pools of gas hydrates - compounds that trap natural gas emissions - in ocean sediments are deeper than expected implies that the hydrates are destabilizing, and might release gigatonnes of methane. See Letter p.527 Methane hydrate is an ice-like substance that exists at low temperatures and high pressures, and which fills the pore space of sediments in the seabed and sub-seabed. Increases in sea temperature could destabilize methane hydrate, releasing methane gas into the ocean and possibly into the atmosphere - where, if released in sufficient quantities, it would act as a potent greenhouse gas and thus contribute to global warming.
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