Gas Hydrates

Gas hydrates are crystalline structures where natural gas molecules, mainly methane, are trapped within a lattice of water ice. They form under high pressure and low temperature conditions, typically found beneath ocean floors and permafrost regions. These deposits are significant because they contain large amounts of potentially recoverable energy. However, extracting gas from hydrates is complex and poses environmental risks, such as destabilizing seabed structures or releasing methane—a potent greenhouse gas—into the atmosphere. Understanding gas hydrates is important for energy resources and assessing climate impact.