Welcome to CoreFacts, where we're always short on time and big on science. I'm Jessica Robertson. Today's question is an intriguing one.
What is Gas Hydrate?
Gas Hydrates are ice-like crystalline solids formed from mixtures of water and natural gas, usually methane. They are found in sub-permafrost locations on land in polar regions and on most continental margins of the world in near sea-floor sediments below about 500 m water depth, which is approximately 1,600 ft. They occur where pressure, temperature, gas saturation, and local chemical conditions combine to make it stable. Gas Hydrates occur in the pore spaces of sediments, and may form cements, nodes or layers.
Also, natural Gas Hydrates contain highly concentrated methane, which could be important both as an energy resource and as a factor in global climate change.
And now you know. Join us again every weekday for a new CoreFact. For other CoreFacts, or for CoreCast, our in-depth science podcast, go to usgs.gov/podcasts. If you'd like to have a question featured on our show, give us an email at corefacts@usgs.gov or a phone call at 703-648-5600. Remember, long distance fees do apply.
CoreFacts is a product of the U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior.
A CoreFact is a weekly audio podcast from the USGS that asks and answers a natural science question. When you subscribe to CoreFacts, episodes will be automatically downloaded to your computer as soon as they're available.
Huh? What's a Podcast?
A podcast is an audio (e.g. mp3) or video file (e.g. mpeg) that can be played
on a mobile media player (i.e. Apple iPod)1 or
personal computer.2
So, How Do I Listen/Watch?
You can subscribe to CoreFacts via RSS
feed1 (click for details), or you can listen to individual
CoreFacts by selecting the play button next to the episode you’re interested
in. When you subscribe to CoreFacts, each episode will automatically download
to your computer as soon as they become available. Some specific instructions can be found on our Adding a Podcast page.
1 Make sure you have the right software
to download CoreFacts from a computer to your mobile media player—this software
usually comes with the player. 2 To play CoreFacts on your computer, you will need media
player software such as: iTunes, Windows
Media Player, or Real
Media Player.
Most computers already have media player software installed—check
with your computer administrator to see if you’re already set up for CoreFacts!
508 Compliance
Every episode is transcribed and can be viewed in the Show Details section.
All links to Web sites or data referenced in the show are included.