Under
the enormous pressures and cold temperatures at the bottom of the ocean,
methane gas dissolves. The molecules of methane become locked in a cage
of water molecules to form crystals. These crystals look like ice, and
they cement together the ocean sediments. In some places a solid layer
of crystals—called methane hydrate—extends from the sea floor down
hundreds of meters.
![The drilling rig “Uncle John” is preparing to leave in late April to test methane hydrate deposits at two sites in the Gulf of Mexico under the Joint Industry Program.](Assets/Photos/GasPlatform.jpg)