Appearance and distribution of the gas hydrate reflection in the Blake Ridge region, offshore southeastern United States

A strong reflection parallel to the sea floor has been observed in seismic-reflection profiles in the Blake Ridge area off the southeastern United States. This reflection occurs at a subbottom depth of 400 to 700 m, in water depths of 750 to 3750 m. Because the reflection parallels the sea floor, it is known as a bottom-simulating reflection (BSR). It is independent of reflections that represent sedimentary strata, and in places it crosses such reflections.