[cinnathepoet]

a potentially unstable ocean floor that is highly sensitive to changing conditions.

One extra flush will do it!

[alloysteel]

Apparently this cycle of concentration of methane hydrate, and release from time to time, has been going on for eons. A number of natural gas pockets formed under layers of ooze, which later formed into shale rock strata, are the result of methane hydrate coming into contact with warming from radiant heat from the earth's interior. A gas dome is formed, and the methane remains trapped in the dome until tapped. Or until it bursts forth through a seam in the rocks.