Methane Hydrate: New source of energy

I saw an interesting documentary of Methane Hydrate [or Methane clathrate or Methane Ice] in National geographic channel. It was really very interesting. I was not even aware that there was even an alternative fossil fuel that could solve the energy crisis we are facing now.

More on Methane Hydrate: [I have taken this from Wikipedia]

Methane Hydrate forms when methane gets trapped in ice. There are large deposits of methane hydrate under the sea bed. There is more trapped gas than all the oil reserves combined.

Scientists believe that a deposit in Gulf of Mexico contains as much as 10^10 (10 to the power 10) cubic meters of methane hydrate. Roughly, this is sufficient to power the entire United States for the next 2000 years!

Methane hydrate burns just like ordinary fuel. Here is a picture showing methane hydrate burning:

Methane Hydrate Burning

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methane_clathrate

Technorati : energy, energy crisis, methane hydrate, methane ice

Related Reading:

The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book: Boil Ice, Float Water, Measure Gravity-Challenge the World Around You! (Everything Kids Series)