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Gas hydrate crystals may help build reefs

Author

Listed:
  • J. P. Henriet

    (Renard Centre of Marine Geology, University of Gent)

  • B. De Mol

    (Renard Centre of Marine Geology, University of Gent)

  • S. Pillen

    (Renard Centre of Marine Geology, University of Gent)

  • M. Vanneste

    (Renard Centre of Marine Geology, University of Gent)

  • D. Van Rooij

    (Renard Centre of Marine Geology, University of Gent)

  • W. Versteeg

    (Renard Centre of Marine Geology, University of Gent)

  • P. F. Croker

    (DTEC, Beggar's Bush)

  • P. M. Shannon

    (University College Dublin)

  • V. Unnithan

    (University College Dublin)

  • S. Bouriak

    (UNESCO Centre for Marine Geology and Geophysics, Moscow State University)

  • P. Chachkine

    (UNESCO Centre for Marine Geology and Geophysics, Moscow State University)

Abstract

During a recent cruise in the Porcupine Basin, off southwest Ireland, we discovered two extensive and hitherto largely unsuspected deep-water reef provinces, including a giant cluster of hundreds of buried mounds. The ring shapes of many reefs suggest that they are caused by an axial fluid expulsion at the sea bed, a transient flow well confined in space and time. We are exploring various hypotheses, but a stimulating avenue for research is opened by a glacially controlled growth pulse and subsequent decay of a shallow layer of gas hydrates as a methane buffer and probably indirectly as a ground for overlying biological communities.

Suggested Citation

  • J. P. Henriet & B. De Mol & S. Pillen & M. Vanneste & D. Van Rooij & W. Versteeg & P. F. Croker & P. M. Shannon & V. Unnithan & S. Bouriak & P. Chachkine, 1998. "Gas hydrate crystals may help build reefs," Nature, Nature, vol. 391(6668), pages 648-649, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:391:y:1998:i:6668:d:10.1038_35530
    DOI: 10.1038/35530
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