Gas hydrate occurence and morpho-structures along Chilean margin

During the last decades the scientific community spent many efforts to study the gas hydrates in oceanic and permafrost environments. In fact the gas hydrate occurrence has a global significance because it is a potential energy resource. Moreover it may play a role in global climate change. The detection of a bottom-simulating reflector (BSR) by using seismic methods has allowed to define the distribution of gas hydrate. In the last decades along the Chilean continental margin the BSR is well reported by several geophysical cruises. In particular the BSR is recognized along the accretionary prism. The main goal of this study is to map the gas hydrate occurrence along Chilean margin. The main results obtained from seismic analysis are shown in this book. This analysis giving us information regarding the seismic velocity distribution geothermal gradient variation of gas concentrations and a realistic estimate of gas-phase. The results are promising because an important gas reservoir was identified.