Methane gas hydrates may occur wherever methane and water exist in close proximity at low temperatures and elevated pressures. These hydrates are thought to be widespread in both on-shore permafrost regions of the North American and Soviet Arctic and in the shallow continental shelves of the Arctic Ocean where sub-sea permafrost is found. Methane gas may be released to the atmosphere because of hydrate destabilization as a result of climatic warming and changes in sea level. With present knowledge, it is not possible to predict the timing or the amount of methane that would be released by gas hydrate decomposition as a result of permafrost, especially sub-sea permafrost, degradation during interglacial periods. We proposed to modify a two-dimensional model of climate-permafrost interaction. The model will be applied to several sites in North America and in the Soviet Union to elevate the potential for gas hydrate and permafrost occurrence and degradation in response to changes in climate and sea level. This information will be used (in collaboration with USGS and Soviet investigators) to make improved estimates of the possible fluxes of methane onto the atmosphere as a result of hydrate and permafrost degradation.
