Researchers in the Arctic Ocean have discovered a massive network of undersea faults that have been slowly leaking methane, which are believed to be contributing to the withdrawal of ice sheets in the region. Led by Malin Waage, the team from the Arctic University of Norway documented a huge number of active 'mounds' of undersea methane in the Barents Sea, some as wide as 1,600 feet. However, the seismic data showed that many of the craters were much older, having formed at least 20,000 years ago. Many appeared to have been triggered not by changing climate conditions, but structural weaknesses in the seafloor connected to their position within the larger network of undersea faults. It could also be used to help guide efforts to minimize the effects of climate change by storing surplus carbon dioxide under the seabed.

Source: Daily Mail June 15, 2020 18:02 UTC