New research suggests a large amount of methane was released in the Arctic during a period of warming 110 million years ago.
Researchers say they have discovered methane “bumps” in various places, pointing to the possibility of a similar release in today’s warming conditions.
A team, led by the University of Calgary, describes a series of bubble-like bumps on Canada’s Ellef Ringnes Island.
It appears that these scars all emerged at the same time, suggesting that there was an enormous release of methane back then.
There are still deposits of methane hydrates buried under the sea, and concerns that their thawing could cause runaway climate change.
