Scientists aboard the research vessel “Okeanos Explorer” have made a startling discovery off the coast of Virginia, USA. Due to rising ocean temperatures caused by climate change, methane hydrate is breaking down and rising to the surface as a harmful environmental gas at over 570 locations in the sea. The researchers have identified only a small portion of the ocean floor, estimating that methane hydrate is breaking down at tens of thousands of locations and entering the Earth’s atmosphere. Methane hydrate is compressed methane gas that turns into a solid under high pressure and is found only in coastal areas at depths of 100 to 600 meters. Even slight temperature changes or vibrations can cause it to break down and rise to the surface, acidifying the oceans and endangering the habitat of millions of animals.
Methane is a greenhouse gas that is about 25 times more harmful than carbon dioxide, making it a major concern for climate scientists. Its global reserves are estimated at around 12 trillion tons, and scientists have been warning for years that climate change could trigger a chain reaction that would cause methane hydrate to break down and rise to the surface. Unfortunately, it appears that this is now happening. The warnings go even further, stating that once a certain amount of methane is released, we will reach the point of no return, where one climate process triggers the next, and we can only watch as our climate changes more rapidly and drastically.
This discovery is a stark reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It also highlights the importance of continued research and monitoring of our oceans to better understand the impact of climate change on our planet. As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, we must not forget the looming threat of climate change and take action to mitigate its effects before it’s too late.
