Methane flux and gas hydrate and seismic activity in the Sea of Okhotsk

Abstract

Methane was studied in water column and sediment in Sea of Okhotsk during 1984-2004. There were found flux of bubbles of methane from sediment to water column, gas hydrate in surface sediment layes and amomalies of methane as well as in water column and sediment. As a result in Sea of Okhotsk were found fluxes of methane in water column and gas hydrate in sediment. Flux (flare) and anomalies of methane as well as in water column and sediment very good correlate with gas hydrate field in seismo-tectonic activity area (zone fault). In this case flares and methane anomalies may use like indicator to look for gas hydrate. Gas hydrate in Sea of Okhotsk was found due to methane anomalies in water column