Written question asked by Llew Smith (Labour) on Wednesday, 15 October 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 23 October 2003. It was answered by Ivor Caplin (Labour) on Thursday, 23 October 2003 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what research has been undertaken by the Meteorological Office on the possibility of a release of methane hydrate from sea floor sediments caused by increased sea temperatures resulting from global warming and climate change.

Answer: Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research has been undertaken by the Meteorological Office on the possibility of a release of methane hydrate from sea floor sediments caused by increased sea temperatures resulting from global warming and climate change. [133312] Mr. Caplin: The Hadley Centre of the Meteorological Office has made a start assessing the potential destabilisation of hydrates. Analysis of results from the Hadley Centre climate models has shown that the most vulnerable deposits are likely to be marine hydrates in the shallow parts of the Arctic Ocean. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that the gradual melting of land ice- sheets (which tends to stabilise marine hydrates by increasing sea-level and thereby the pressure at the bottom of the ocean), will be too slow to counteract the effects of global wanning in the 21st century.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 133312; 411 c657-8W;411 c663W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Climate change Pollution Research Seas and oceans Gases Methane Met Office Seabed
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk