title: Velocity structure of a gas hydrate reflector.
abstract: Seismic reflection profiles across many continental margins have imaged bottom-simulating reflectors (BSRs) parallel to the seabed; these are often interpreted as the base of a zone in which methane hydrate "ice" is stable. Waveform inversion of seismic reflection data can be used to estimate from seismic data worldwide the velocity structure of a BSR and its thickness. A test of this method at a drill site of the Ocean Drilling Program predicts that sediment pores beneath the BSR contain free methane for approximately 30 meters. The hydrate and underlying gas represent a large global reservoir of methane, which may have economic importance and may influence global climate.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Minshull
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Spence