Anomalously cold temperatures observed at the base of the gas hydrate stability zone on the U.S. Atlantic passive margin

Research Article| August 01, 1997 Anomalously cold temperatures observed at the base of the gas hydrate stability zone on the U.S. Atlantic passive margin Carolyn Ruppel Carolyn Ruppel 1School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0340 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Carolyn Ruppel 1School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0340 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1997) 25 (8): 699–702. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1997)025<0699:ACTOAT>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Carolyn Ruppel; Anomalously cold temperatures observed at the base of the gas hydrate stability zone on the U.S. Atlantic passive margin. Geology 1997;; 25 (8): 699–702. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1997)025<0699:ACTOAT>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract In situ measurements to depths of ∼415 m below sea floor in methane hydrate–bearing sediments on the U.S. Atlantic passive margin indicate that temperatures at the bottom simulating reflector (BSR) are anomalously low by 0.5–2.9 °C if the BSR marks the base of gas hydrate stability (BGHS). Several hypotheses may explain the occurrence of the BSR at inappropriate pressure-temperature (P-T) conditions. (1) If the BSR does not mark the BGHS, then P-T conditions need not be sufficient to dissociate gas hydrate at this depth. (2) The BSR may lie at nonequilibrium P-T conditions due to incomplete readjustment in response to upper Pleistocene–Holocene climate change. However, the occurrence of the Blake Ridge BSR at an overly shallow depth cannot be easily explained by realistic combinations of pressure-driven deepening (sea-level rise) and temperature-driven shoaling (bottom water temperature changes). (3) The properties of sediments or pore fluids may inhibit the stability of gas hydrate. In particular, capillary forces arising in the fine-grained, montmorillonite-rich sediments of the Blake Ridge may lead to shoaling of the BSR in this setting. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.