Natural gas hydrates; vast resource, uncertain future
April 1, 2001
Gas hydrates are naturally occurring icelike solids in which water molecules trap gas molecules in a cagelike structure known as a clathrate. Although many gases form hydrates in nature, methane hydrate is by far the most common; methane is the most abundant natural gas. The volume of carbon contained in methane hydrates worldwide is estimated to be twice the amount contained in all fossil fuels on Earth, including coal.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2001 |
|---|---|
| Title | Natural gas hydrates; vast resource, uncertain future |
| DOI | 10.3133/fs02101 |
| Authors | T. S. Collett |
| Publication Type | Report |
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Series Title | Fact Sheet |
| Series Number | 021-01 |
| Index ID | fs02101 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |