A new study reveals significant natural leaks of oil and gas along Northeast Greenland’s submerged continental shelf—a region largely unexplored until now. This discovery, led by researcher Christoph Böttner from Aarhus University, sheds light on a vital yet often overlooked aspect of the Arctic ecosystem in the face of rapidly changing climate conditions.
While previous research has hinted at natural seepage, this study provides the first comprehensive map of oil and gas leaks off Northeast Greenland’s coast. It combines data from recent academic expeditions with valuable geological records collected during past industry explorations. This integrated approach allowed researchers to trace the intricate pathways gases take as they journey from deep underground reservoirs through sediments up to the ocean floor.
“This wealth of information gives us a clearer picture of how natural methane emissions contribute to the Arctic carbon cycle,” explains Böttner. “We can now better distinguish between ancient seepage that has persisted for millennia and any potential increase in emissions driven by climate change and warming seas.”
Why Northeast Greenland Matters
The selection of this remote and icy region for study is deliberate. Northeast Greenland remains one of the Earth’s least explored and most inaccessible corners, yet it stands as a prime example of how the Arctic is transforming under climate change. This makes it an invaluable natural laboratory to understand both the long-term patterns and the potential future impacts of methane and oil seepage on this sensitive environment.
“Northeast Greenland plays a vital role in our understanding of climate research and the global carbon cycle,” says Professor Marit-Solveig Seidenkrantz, co-author of the study from Aarhus University. She emphasizes that these leaks don’t just impact atmospheric and oceanic carbon flows; they also directly influence marine life—from microscopic organisms to larger creatures adapted to Arctic waters.
Gas Hydrates: A Ticking Time Bomb?
The research team uncovered evidence of gas hydrates on the continental shelf surrounding Greenland. These unique structures resemble ice but are formed from water molecules bound with natural gases trapped under immense pressure and freezing temperatures within seabed sediments.
“Our findings provide the first documentation of gas hydrates in this area,” explains Frank Werner Jakobsen, a co-author from UiT The Arctic University of Norway. “This raises the possibility that thawing permafrost and rising sea temperatures could destabilize these hydrates, leading to an accelerated release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.”
Long History, Uncertain Future
The researchers estimate that between 677 million and 1.46 billion metric tons of gas—equivalent to roughly half a billion to over a billion metric tons of carbon—have seeped into the ocean since large ice sheets retreated around 15,000 years ago. This underscores the long-standing nature of natural hydrocarbon leaks in this region.
However, climate change is accelerating Arctic warming at an unprecedented rate, potentially increasing these releases in the future. Böttner stresses the urgency of understanding current seepage levels to accurately predict its evolution under a changing climate: “We need this baseline data now because we are seeing such rapid changes, and without it, our ability to model future scenarios is limited.”
This study highlights the urgent need to incorporate these findings into climate models used to project future global warming trends. It serves as a powerful reminder that while natural processes like seepage have shaped the Arctic for millennia, human-induced climate change adds a complex new layer to this dynamic system.
