Methane leaking massively in the Barents Sea: what is its source?

Norwegian scientists have discovered massive methane leaks beneath the Barents Sea. These seepages, invisible to the naked eye, could have far more significant repercussions on ecosystems and the climate than previously thought.

Off the coast of Norway, this region is teeming with geological faults that are releasing impressive amounts of gas. A team of researchers recently revealed the existence of more than 21,000 leakage points, according to a study published in Frontiers in Earth Science.


Researchers estimate that these methane leaks have been ongoing for thousands of years. Trapped beneath the Earth's crust by successive glaciations, the methane is now gradually escaping due to rock erosion.

Expeditions conducted between 2018 and 2022 identified annual gas emissions on the order of 10,000 tonnes (11,000 short tons). This is an impressive quantity, though markedly lower than industrial methane emissions (let's recall that 120 million tonnes [132 million short tons] are emitted each year for fossil fuel production).

One of the major concerns is the potential impact of this gas on the atmosphere. While a large portion is absorbed by the ocean thanks to microorganisms, a fraction could contribute to global warming.

Methane has a global warming potential 25 times greater than carbon dioxide. However, it has a shorter atmospheric lifespan—about 12 years compared to several centuries for CO2.

This discovery could also explain the absence of significant hydrocarbon resources in the region, a mystery the Norwegian gas industry had been trying to solve for decades.

The study paves the way for further research to understand the scale of these leaks and their real impact on the environment. One question remains: how much will they affect our planet?

What is methane, and why is it a concern for the climate?

Methane (CH₄) is a potent greenhouse gas, approximately 25 times more effective than carbon dioxide (CO₂) at trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 100-year period. Although it persists for a shorter time, it has a significant impact on global warming.

Methane is produced naturally, especially through the decomposition of organic matter beneath oceans, lakes, and wetlands. However, a large portion of current emissions comes from human activities, such as livestock farming, fossil fuel extraction, and landfills.

Because of its high warming potential and substantial quantities in the atmosphere, reducing methane emissions is crucial to limiting short-term global warming.