Geologists from the University of the Philippines say the Manila Trench has traces of gas hydrates, ‘ice-like substances’ made of water and methane that can be used as an energy source.
In a report by the Inquirer, UP Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) said that the researchers had already laid out the areas in the trench that displayed bottom-simulating reflectors (BSRs), which suggested the probability of gas hydrates.
The data revealed that around 15,400 square kilometers within the Manila Trench could contain gas hydrates between 200 to 500 meters on the seafloor.
However, while gas hydrates could become a source of energy, they also present environmental and geological risks. With the trench situated in an active tectonic region prone to earthquakes, it could damage the hydrates which could prompt tsunamis and submarine landslides.
Furthermore, methane, once released from melting gas hydrates could add up to global warming, as it is a strong greenhouse gas.
Although BSRs revealed possibilities of gas hydrates, UPD-CS said that more drilling is needed to validate the findings.