The discovery of the Freya Hydrate Mounds, located near Greenland, marks a significant milestone in deep-sea research. Found at a depth of nearly 12,000 feet (around 3,640 meters) during a May 2024 research cruise, these mounds represent the deepest gas hydrate cold seeps recorded to date. Researchers also observed a remarkable methane gas flare that reaches a height of 10,000 feet (approximately 3,300 meters), setting another record for deep-sea phenomena.
Giuliana Panieri, a geoscientist from Ca’ Foscari University in Italy and lead author of the study, emphasized the significance of this finding, stating that it "rewrites the playbook for Arctic deep-sea ecosystems and carbon cycling." Published in Nature Communications on December 17, the study reveals that these cold seeps, unlike hydrothermal vents that are short-lived, have the potential for long-term stability, allowing diverse marine life to thrive in their vicinity.
The Freya Mounds challenge previous understandings of hydrate formation, as researchers had not previously identified cold seeps at such profound depths. This discovery opens new avenues for exploring the geological dynamics and biological richness of the Arctic seafloor.