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Possible terrestrial volcanic occurrences of gas clathrate hydrates
Author(s) -
Gaffney Edward S.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/gl008i001p00051
Subject(s) - fumarole , clathrate hydrate , geology , volcanism , volcano , pyroclastic rock , volcanic gases , geochemistry , overburden , mineralogy , lava , earth science , petrology , hydrate , tectonics , seismology , chemistry , paleontology , organic chemistry
On the basis of the thermodynamic stability of hydrates of SO 2 , H 2 S and CO 2 , it is suggested that those compounds may be found in some terrestrial volcanic environments. Hydrates of SO 2 and H 2 S may be found in low‐temperature fumaroles, especially where surrounding rocks are below 0°C. Such situations could occur at high altitudes and/or high latitudes. Hydrates of H 2 S, SO 2 , and CO 2 may be found on grain surfaces and in pore spaces of pyroclastic or other material overlying gas sources where proper conditions prevail, such as pore pressure equal to overburden pressure. For H 2 S, such deposits can occur with mean surface temperatures as high as 20°C. Submarine volcanism could give rise to stable submerged hydrate occurrences analogous to both the above occurrences.