Shallow gas and gas hydrate occurrences on the northwest Greenland shelf margin

An extensive 3D seismic dataset was used to investigate the contemporary hydrocarbon distribution and historical fluid migration in Melville Bay offshore northwest Greenland, providing first inventory of shallow gas hydrate along this part Greenland margin. The anomalies vary character have been subdivided into four categories that represent (I) isolated gas, (II) free trapped at base stability zone (GHSZ), (III) charged glacial clinoforms (IV) a giant mass transport deposit reservoir. Gas deposits identified across an area 537 km 2 via identification discontinuous bottom simulating reflector (BSR) marks GHSZ. BSR has estimate geothermal gradient 49 °C/km GHSZ heat flow 70–90 mW/m , publically available estimates western Greenland. is influenced by underlying paleo-rift topography multiple shelf edge glaciations since ~2.7 Ma. Continued uplift Ridge, as well glacial-sediment redistribution basinward margin tilting from isostatic compensation, led concentration within Cenozoic stratigraphy above ridge. Furthermore, repeated variations subsurface conditions during glacial-interglacial cycles likely promoted remigration, possibly contributed reservoir leakage increased through faults. top occurrence 650 m water depth below hydrate-free phase boundary (~350 m) for present bottom-water temperature 1.5 °C, suggesting province mainly adjusted changes expansion dissociation its relatively inert current levels global warming. Glacial-related may significantly numerous accumulations observed day. • mapped NW Shallow estimated Fluid shelf-edge glaciation Large depths make less sensitive future climate warming