Abstract

The Chilean continental margin has been extensively investigated over the last few decades to better characterize the complex geological setting through geophysical data and seismic reflection profiles. The analysis of this seismic reflection data has assisted in identifying the location of gas hydrates and free gas in many places along the margin, mainly through the identification of a bottom simulating reflector. While this gas hydrate reservoir could serve as a strategic energy reservoir for Chile, the possible dissociation of gas hydrates due to climate change is a potential challenge. Moreover, this region is affected by large and mega-scale earthquakes that may contribute to gas hydrate dissociation and the initiation of submarine landslides. In this context, the Chilean margin is a natural laboratory for the study of hydrate system evolution under multiple geological and environmental stressors.