Gas-hydrate deposits are complex systems whose stability is highly affected by climate, oceanographic, and tectonic process, resulting in a dynamic seafloor. The availability of new technologies combined with the capabilities of scientific ocean drilling and ocean observing programs are now making long-term monitoring of these systems possible for the first time.

Joint Oceanographic Institutions is sponsoring the Gas-Hydrate Observatories Workshop to develop strategies to monitor gas-hydrate deposits using instrumented boreholes. The workshop will bring together scientists and engineers to discuss possible observatory designs and deployment strategies towards the goal of successful implementation within the next several years.

For more information on this workshop, see Science Support.