Explainer: Methane hydrate, also known as 'fiery ice'

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Is it possible to start a fire with ice? The answer is yes, and there's a global race to make it happen. This is methane hydrate, also known as "fiery ice."

It's a natural gas trapped in ice crystals buried in the ocean floors. And researchers say there's enough reserve of methane hydrate that could last for thousands of years. But extracting it out is extremely hard. China made a huge breakthrough in 2017, setting a world record for the amount of such fuel retrieved in one single attempt.

[joncuk]

There's plenty off the Russian arctic coast sadly. It was melting along with the permafrost last summer. Harvesting it rather than letting it melt releasing yet more greenhouse gas wouldn't be a bad plan.

[biryukovveden]

The dragon is awakening, needs fiery food too.

[americanknow]

Japan is working on this project. Japan has zero resources. This is like a dream for Japan.

[thndrngest]

Don’t reveal too much just yet, it is too dangerous in these volatile times.

[beyonder]

ofcourse they are going to use it as fuel😆😆

[aarohesingh]

I hope chyyna will not misuse it because the world knows that chyyna is a irresponsible country