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Methane produced in subseafloor environments is transported to the seafloor and discharged into seawater at cold seeps, mud volcanoes, and hydrothermal vents. The discharged methane and accompanying fluids form unique environments, such as methane hydrates and carbonates, and sustain chemosynthetic ecosystems. Methane and the methane-driven phenomena are closely related to the ocean and global environmental changes, material cycles, and evolution of life, making them a key for better understanding of the interactions among Geosphere-Hydrosphere-Biospheres. Deepening and expanding our knowledge of these processes will also contribute to the sustainable development of human society, including resource utilization, disaster prevention, and biodiversity and ecosystem conservation. This session welcomes latest research topics related to the geophysical background, resources, geobiology, and geochemical origin of methane and accompanying fluids at marine and terrestrial cold seeps, mud volcanoes, and hydrothermal vents from the past to present. Based on these topics, we aim to promote active interactions between scientists from multiple fields and the development of a multidisciplinary research community.
All the presentations in this session are given in Japanese or English. We recommend preparing figures and tables in English.