'Widespread methane leakage' from ocean floor off US coast

BBC News ^ | 8/24/14 | Matt McGrath

[NormsRevenge]

Researchers say they have found more than 500 bubbling methane vents on the seafloor off the US east coast.

The unexpected discovery indicates there are large volumes of the gas contained in a type of sludgy ice called methane hydrate.

There are concerns that these new seeps could be making a hitherto unnoticed contribution to global warming.

The scientists say there could be about 30,000 of these hidden methane vents worldwide.

Previous surveys along the Atlantic seaboard have shown only three seep areas beyond the edge of the US continental shelf.

[Darksheare]

Solution: harvest and use it.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Sounds like a totally natural source of atmospheric methane that has probably been there for billions of years.

What we really need to do is outlaw nature.

[a fool in paradise]

Those who say that we should NOT tap our natural resources are against protecting the environment. Such leaks can occur naturally.

What is gained by leaving this to happen and surrendering our production capabilities to other nations?

[Tijeras_Slim]

And we’re supposed to worry about cow flatulence changing the climate.

[logitech]

The scientists say there could be about 30,000 of these hidden methane vents worldwide.

Scientists, is there anything they don't know? /s

[davetex]

What a bunch of bull squeeze. Methane vents are everywhere, always have been.

[Dalberg-Acton]

I’m pretty sure this is Bush’s fault. /sarc

[Cringing Negativism Network]

Oh horse feathers.

Global warming has turned into global cooling, so now they introduce previously unknown sources to show us it’s not actually getting cooler.

I call nonsense. Complete nonsense.

[Pox]

That methane should be harvested and exploited for the energy it contains.

[Ouchthatonehurt]

I sat next to a bubbling methane vent on a domestic flight about a month back. Longest two hours of my life.

[RichInOC]

There’s something down there...and it’s farting.

[SandRat]

That's a BIG Whale Fart.

[JRandomFreeper]

Methane vents are everywhere

Including right here in my chair with me. ;)

/johnny

[Ghost of SVR4]

Solution: harvest and use it.

More likely the ever so wise politicians will find a way to tax the coastal inhabitants (leaving out themselves of course).

[Born to Conserve]

The methane vents are feeding the clathrate beds, not being produced by them. Minor thing, really, getting it exactly backwards.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“Solution: harvest and use it.”

Exactly! But it’ll probably bother some lobster habitat...Blah, Blah, Blah!

The only ‘habitat’ a lobster needs to be in is IN MY BELLY! ;)

[G Larry]

No....The EPA is trying figure out how to sue God.

[Darksheare]

Being that it would be energy development, you can bet that our illustrious imperator Brak Hussie the Furst would do everything he can to stall it.