Methane Release in Submarine Landslides: A Seismic, Sedimentological, and Geochemical Study of the Storegga Slide, Offshore Norway

University Of Wyoming, Laramie WY

Investigators

Abstract

Award is for a coordinated seismic and coring study of the Storegga Slide on the Norwegian Margin. The Storegga slide developed in sediments thought to have contained substantial amounts of gas hydrate. Examining this slide area will test the hypothesis that submarine landslides can release methane from hydrates into the oceans and/or atmosphere and thereby affect climate. The study will test three major hypotheses; 1) How much gas hydrate is present in the Storegga region, 2) did methane escape as a result of the slide, and if so, how much? 3) does hydrate dissociation promote submarine landslides? A 43 day cruise of the R/V Ewing will acquire high resolution seismic reflection data, three component ocean bottom seismic data and jumbo piston cores.