Gas Hydrates in the Solar System

Methane Hydrate on Titan:

Recent calculations (Tobie et al. 2006) suggest that methane in Titan's atmosphere may be buffered by hydrate-covered oceans. Understanding the physical properties of methane hydrates under planetary conditions will contribute to future interpretations of planetary dynamics and geology.

NASA/JPL                            NASA/JPL                            NASA/JPL

A.) Titan    B.) Ice or Hydrate Cobbles  10cm   C.) River System?

CO₂ and methane hydrates on Mars:

Exchange of CO₂ and/or methane between hydrate reservoirs and the atmosphere may contribute to global climate change on Mars. Research under development would examine the rate and extent of hydrate dissociation as a result of small changes in temperature, pressure, and/or salinity at Mars-relevant conditions. Such releases of volatiles may have resulted in catastrophic erosion as well as climate change during Mars' early history (Hoffman 2001, Max et al. 2003).