Potential methane reservoirs beneath the Antarctic ice sheet

[DavidDvorkin]

The new study demonstrates that old organic matter in sedimentary basins located beneath the Antarctic Ice Sheet may have been converted to methane by micro-organisms living under oxygen-deprived conditions. The methane could be released to the atmosphere if the ice sheet shrinks and exposes these old sedimentary basins.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-08/uob-pmr082912.php

[meow2u3]

1. I wouldn't put it past the energy bastards to try to frack Antarctica

There will be World War III if they try that.

[longship]

2. Arctic methane is already a problem.

I don't have a citation for this, but I imagine Google will find appropriate docs.

Permafrost is melting even as I write this. The methane is held by the permafrost. When it melts, the methane bubbles up and escapes into the atmosphere.

BTW, methane is a far more active greenhouse gas than CO2. This is one of those tipping point positive feedback systems climate scientists talk about.