A closeup view of a methane hydrate outcrop at a cold seep site

A closeup view of a methane hydrate outcrop at a cold seep site. There are vast deposits of methane hydrates in areas of the continental shelfs world-wide. If these hydrates break down because of a warming ocean, vast amounts of methane could be released to the atmosphere accelerating warming of the planet.

Photo Location: New England Seep 3, 1124-1054 meters
Photo Date: 20130711T165932Z