Abstract
AbstractGas hydrates have been the focus of intensive research during recent decades due to the recognition of their high relevance to future fossil energy, submarine geohazards, and global carbon and climate changes. Cold seep-related gas hydrate systems have been found in both passive and active margins worldwide. A wealth of data, including seismic imaging, borehole logging, seafloor surveys, and coring, suggest that seep-related gas hydrates are present in the western Taixinan Basin and the Qiongdongnan Basin of the northern South China Sea (SCS). Here, we provide an overview of the current understanding of seep-related gas hydrate systems in the northern SCS and underscore the need for more systematic work to uncover the factors governing the interplay of hydrate dynamics and gas seepage and to quantitatively assess the temporal and spatial variability of gas hydrate and cold seep systems.
Publisher
Springer Nature Singapore