A new study by iC3 researchers sheds light on how gases like methane migrate beneath the Arctic Ocean. Using advanced seismic imaging, the researchers uncovered evidence of ancient gas leaks at Vestnesa Ridge, a submarine area between Greenland and Svalbard. 

Their findings contribute to urgent efforts to better understand the Earth's subsurface processes and their links to climate change dynamics.

Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is stored in vast quantities as gas hydrates beneath the ocean floor.

Mapping ancient gas pathways

The Vestnesa Ridge is an ideal site for studying methane migration. Previous research has documented craters on the seafloor and buried disturbances caused by past gas releases.

Photo: Rainbow seen from RV Helmer Hanssen during Arctic cruise (credit: Stefan Buenz)

The research team focused on imaging small-scale fractures and faults beneath the surface, features that act as pathways for gas migration.

Their semi-automated method captured structures as small as three to four metres, offering an unprecedented level of detail. The study demonstrated how these fractures have formed over the last million years, documenting episodes of gas release that are now sealed.

This work highlights the importance of high-resolution data in identifying potential gas leakage pathways, underscoring the value of advanced imaging techniques in geosciences. 

"Understanding the pathways for gas migration is crucial in predicting future behaviour of these systems, especially in sensitive regions like the Arctic," said Frances Ann Cooke, lead author of the study.

Photo: Frances Ann Cooke during an Arctic research cruise (credit: Andreia P-F)

Innovative seismic analysis techniques

The researchers employed high-resolution 3D seismic data to visualise the fractures and faults beneath Vestnesa Ridge. By applying a semi-automated analysis, they ensured repeatability and precision in their observations.

The method allowed the team to quantify the geometry of these features, providing a detailed record of fault and fracture evolution. This approach not only revealed how methane and other gases migrate, but also emphasised the need for high-resolution datasets in similar studies.

Climate change and methane hydrates

The Arctic is particularly vulnerable to methane release due to the rapid warming of the region. Destabilisation of gas hydrates could lead to significant methane emissions, further accelerating global warming.

However, natural gas leakage remains underappreciated and understudied compared to human-made emissions. The new research highlights the need to consider these natural processes in climate models.

The study also reflects a growing trend in using geophysical methods, like seismic data, for climate-related research. Traditionally employed in resource exploration, these techniques are now proving invaluable in studying Earth's climate systems.

"Seismic data is a versatile tool. Its expanding role in interdisciplinary research is helping us understand critical climate processes," Frances Ann Cooke explained.

Postdoc funding for methane research

If you are interested in securing funding to do postdoctoral research in this field with the iC3 Polar Research Hub, please contact Andreia Plaza-Faverola and Stefan Bünz for more information.

The peer-reviewed paper "Semi-automated analysis of faults with metre-scale displacements and networks of planar features using high-resolution 3D seismic to investigate gas leakage at the Vestnesa Ridge, eastern Fram Strait" is available online.

Lead researcher Frances Ann Cooke is doing her PhD as part of the SEAMSTRESS project, where she focuses on Arctic methane systems and subsurface processes. SEAMSTRESS aims at quantifying the effect of tectonic forcing on the release of greenhouse gasses from the ocean floor in the Arctic. iC3’s Andreia Plaza-Faverola and Stefan Bünz contributed to this study, which builds on extensive previous research on Arctic gas hydrates conducted at UiT The Arctic University of Norway.