Gas hydrates on the northern California continental margin

Research Article| July 01, 1985 Gas hydrates on the northern California continental margin Michael E. Field; Michael E. Field 1U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, California 94025 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Keith A. Kvenvolden Keith A. Kvenvolden 1U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, California 94025 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1985) 13 (7): 517–520. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1985)13<517:GHOTNC>2.0.CO;2 Article history first online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Michael E. Field, Keith A. Kvenvolden; Gas hydrates on the northern California continental margin. Geology 1985;; 13 (7): 517–520. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1985)13<517:GHOTNC>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The inner continental margin of northern California is underlain by a well-defined and extensive acoustic reflector that crosses other reflectors and mimics the surface of the sea floor. This bottom-simulating reflector (BSR) lies at a typical subsurface depth of about 250 m and has been mapped continuously beneath the Klamath Plateau and upper slope (water depths of 800 to 1200 m) for a distance of more than 130 km; it covers an area of at least 3000 km2. Limited data show that the BSR extends northward into Oregon and seaward at least to the base of the slope (3000 m).The water depths, subsurface depths, and pervasive nature of the BSR all suggest that it represents the base of a natural-gas hydrate. Using standard phase boundary diagrams for hydrate stability, we estimate the local geothermal gradient within the gas hydrate to be about 55 °C/km. This value is higher than that of most subduction margins and may be a result of the youthfulness of the subducting oceanic crust. This acoustically inferred gas hydrate is the first to be mapped on the western conterminous United States continental margin. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.