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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.

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
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