自７０年代起，人们就认识到海洋沉积物中存在着天然气水合物，但只是在最近才加快了研究其性质的步伐。研究计划主要集中在调查其作为替代能源的效能以及其在全球性气候变化和大陆坡稳定性中的潜在重要作用。天然气水合物被认为是未来消耗量巨大（尽管到目前为止仍然是一个未? Since the 1970s, it has been recognized that gas hydrates exist in marine sediments, but it has only recently accelerated the study of its nature. The research program has focused mainly on investigating its potential as an alternative energy source and its potential role in global climate change and continental stability. Gas hydrates are thought to consume huge amounts of energy in the future (though so far still one not?