I understand the concept behind methane gas sinking a boat but has it ever actually happened (in nature)?

Question

I do not if it is true or not but I heard that it happened around Alaska in the early 90's. I could not find any documentation of it so figured it was an urban legend. Anyone know of this actually happening?

Answer 1

try science channel(170) sometimes they have program on the subject

Answer 2

Gas leaks off the ocean floor do indeed happen, and do indeed cause "Gas bubbles" depending on the size of the leak, so far its only a guess as to why so many ships have sunk without known cause, (specially in particular areas),... The bubbles have been demonstated to sink a boat... and it will sink...

Answer 3

i don't think its been witnessed or proven, but thats what they think is happening in the Bermuda triangle.

Answer 4

I don't know if there is documented evidence of this happening to a boat, but I do remember seeing footage (on Discovery Channel, Nat Geo or similar) of a floating oil platform in danger of sinking while trapped gas from the ocean floor below was suddenly released and bubbling up all around it. This footage was offered in support of the hypothesis about release methane gas sinking ships.

Answer 5

A lot of things would need to go "right" in order for this to happen.  We know gases leak through the ocean floor.  If this happens in a large volume, it's possible this could upset a boat and cause it to sink.  However, unless the occupants of that boat know what's going on and survive the sinking we wouldn't necessarily be able to definitely tell what caused the boat to sink, right?  So a lot of things would need to align for this to happen and for us to know about it.  It's not beyond the possible, but it's extremely unlikely, right?