[aculeus]

DID IT HAPPEN IN 2000?

[MHGinTN]

Layers of methane hydrates exist with huge pockets of methane gas below them. When the hydrates (the more solid congealed form of methane and salt water) break open from a slide or quake, a large volume of methane gas can be released. An oil derrick in the Gulf of Mexico sank from such a gas release, if memory serves. The buoyancy of the floating medium changes dramatically with gas mixed ture in salt water.