Methane, Oil And Strange Life Forms: Why A Hidden Arctic Ecosystem Has Alarmed Scientists

Last Updated:December 24, 2025, 12:45 IST

3,640 metres below the Arctic, scientists have uncovered a world of methane plumes and strange life. The discovery is rewriting what we know about Earth’s deepest ecosystems

Freya Hydrate Mounds of varying sizes. (Credit: UiT / Ocean Census / REV Ocean UiT / Ocean Census / REV Ocean)

Scientists have made a remarkable discovery deep beneath the Arctic Ocean. At a depth of 3,640 metres in the Greenland Sea, researchers have uncovered an entirely new ecosystem rich in methane gas reserves and inhabited by unusual life forms. Known as the Freya Hydrate Mounds, this site is now recognised as the deepest gas hydrate cold seep ever discovered, sending shockwaves through the scientific community.

The findings, published in Nature Communications, are considered crucial for understanding the Arctic’s future and the hidden processes shaping its deep-sea environment.

Discovery Of The Freya Hydrate Mounts

The discovery was made by an international team of scientists led by UiT during the Ocean Census Arctic Deep expedition. The site lies along the Molloy Ridge, where researchers identified a massive mound that continuously leaks methane gas and crude oil.

What makes the Freya Hydrate Mounds extraordinary is their depth. Gas hydrates are typically found at depths shallower than 2,000 metres. This system, however, was located nearly 1,800 metres deeper than any previously known hydrate formation, challenging long-held geological assumptions and revealing how much of the Arctic seabed remains unexplored.

Life Thriving In Complete Darkness

Despite the absence of sunlight, life flourishes around the Freya Hydrate Mounds. Scientists identified chemosynthetic organisms, which derive energy from chemicals rather than sunlight. These include siboglinid and maldanid tubeworms, along with specialised snails and amphipods.

Remarkably, these species resemble organisms typically found near hydrothermal vents, which emit hot fluids, even though the Freya site is a cold seep. This suggests deep biological connections between different extreme marine environments.

John Copley of the University of Southampton highlighted the importance of studying the biogeography of these organisms, noting that more undiscovered mounds may exist in the region. These species play a vital role in Arctic biodiversity, demonstrating life’s ability to adapt even in perpetual darkness.

Methane Leaks And Climate Concerns

The climate implications of the discovery are both striking and concerning. Scientists observed methane plumes rising up to 3,300 metres into the water column, among the tallest methane flares ever recorded.

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, far more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide. The gas appears to originate from Miocene-age sediments, indicating ancient geological activity beneath the seabed. The presence of crude oil adds another layer of significance.

Chief scientist Giuliana Panieri described the find as extraordinary, stating that it could rewrite current understanding of Arctic deep-sea ecosystems. She noted that the site is geologically dynamic, shaped by tectonic movement and heat flow, making it a living, evolving system.

What Is A Gas Hydrate?

Gas hydrates are often described as ‘fire ice’. They form when water and gas, primarily methane, combine under low temperatures and high pressure, creating an ice-like substance that can burn.

While gas hydrates are seen as a potential future energy source, their uncontrolled melting poses a serious environmental risk. Their presence in the Arctic highlights both the region’s vast energy reserves and the dangers they present if destabilised.

Threats From Human Activity

Scientists have also issued strong warnings about human interference. As global interest in the Arctic grows, several nations are eyeing its resources, and plans for deep-sea mining are advancing.

Researchers, including Alex Rogers, caution that mining could irreparably damage these fragile, island-like ecosystems. Because these habitats are interconnected, disruption in one area could have far-reaching effects elsewhere in the Arctic Ocean. Any industrial activity in this region, scientists argue, must be approached with extreme care.

This discovery comes amid rising geopolitical tensions and competition over Arctic resources, making the scientific evidence particularly timely for policymakers.

Lessons For The Future

The Freya Hydrate Mounds are more than geological structures; they serve as a natural laboratory for studying methane behaviour and the effects of warming oceans. Waters in the Fram Strait are gradually warming, increasing the risk of hydrate destabilisation.

If these hydrates were to melt, vast amounts of methane could be released, accelerating climate change. Using advanced ROV imaging technology, scientists observed that the mounds are continually forming and collapsing, indicating an ongoing and unstable process.

Panieri emphasised that these deposits are highly sensitive to environmental changes, underscoring the urgency of continued research. Understanding this hidden world may prove vital in predicting and mitigating future climate risks.

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