China Geological Survey and the Oceanic Geological Centre under German Kiel Laboratory presented the marine gas hydrate cold spring auto-generated carbonate specimen to the Geological Museum of China. This is the first time for domestic museum to house and exhibite such kind of specimen.

The marine gas hydrate is a kind of ice-like crystal formed under certain temperature and pressure in the seabed, which can also be called flammable ice. It is said that one cubic metre of flammable ice can be transformed into 164 cubic metres of natural gas. According to scientists' estimation, the global flammable ice reserve could provide human being with energy for 1,000 years. It is regarded as the new alternative resource after oil and natural gas.

The specimen presented to the China Geological Museum of China was found during the investigation mission jointly launched by China Geological Survey and Germany in South China Sea. Covering an area of more than 430 square kilometres, the carbonate rock deposits in China is the largest so far in the world, which provides persuasive evidence to prove the reserve of marine gas hydrate in South China Sea.

By People's Daily Online