251 million years ago a gargantuan undersea methane bubble caused immense explosions that poisoned the atmosphere and ultimately caused the extinction of over 96 percent of all life on earth. This mass extinction event is now called the Permian extinction and experts believe it was possibly the most devastating in our world’s history.
Over the course of history, other methane bubbles have exploded resulting in further mass extinctions that lasted for tens of thousands of years and virtually reshaped our planet. One of these occurred 195 million years ago and created what is now called the Gulf of Mexico.
Some scientists fear that the BP drilling operation in a geologically unstable region may have set in motion a chain of events that will cause a premature release of another methane mega-bubble. The problem is, if this is true, there is no known technology that can prevent it from occurring.
Scientists have documented the warning signs of just such a catastrophic event:
1. The appearance of large fissures or rifts splitting open the ocean floor.
2. A rise in the elevation of the seabed.
3. A massive venting of methane and other gases into the surrounding water.
Apparently, all three of these warning signs are presently occurring in the Gulf. In the midst of a total press blackout from the area (the US government will impose a $40,000 fine for any infractions) it is difficult to tell what is really going on.
However, what is known is that methane is pouring through the seabed at unprecedented levels. Workers at the epicenter now are forced to wear advanced protection gear. A scientist at the Texas A&M University has calculated that the ruptured well is discharging about 40 percent methane while the normal release of methane from a compromised well is around 5 percent.
Furthermore, a NOAA research ship, the Thomas Jefferson has reported sighting a huge gash hundreds of metres long on the ocean floor. These fissures are about 15 kilometres away from the BP epicenter but are also spewing methane. Disturbingly enough, methane levels in the surrounding water are now being calculated as being almost one million times higher than normal.
If the worst fears of these scientists are confirmed, then within the next 6 months the entire globe will be rocked by a disaster that could potentially wipe life out.
Other scientists argue that the globe is safe from just such a disaster because the bulk of the methane is being frozen into crystalline form, but others point out that the underground methane sea is being melted because of the nearby surging oil which is believed to be as hot as 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Whether this potential disaster is just yet another scare-mongering conspiracy theory, or indeed based on solid facts is difficult to tell because of the media blackout and government vetoed press releases. What is certain is that humanity needs to learn it lessons about how we so casually and arrogantly treat the environment, because one day it may be too late to for us to change our habits.
(To read this article in full, and to see the scientific references quoted in detail, please go to http://helium.com).