Methane-rich plumes on the Carolina continental rise: Associations with gas hydrates

摘要: Seafloor venting of microbial gases occurs at 2167 m water depth over the Blake Ridge diapir-Gas-rich plumes were identified acoustically in column up to 320 above a pockmarked sea floor associated with active chemosynthetic biological communities. Plumes and fluids emanate from near small fault that extends downward toward dome bottom-simulating reflector, indicating fluid and/or gas migration is hydrate bearing sediment below. These might be caused by bubbles or buoyant dumps float upward seafloor. 18 refs., 3 figs.