Final answer:
Methane hydrates are frozen chunks of ice containing methane gas found at the bottom of the ocean. They have implications on warming oceans due to the release of methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas, when they melt.
Step-by-step explanation:
Methane Hydrates
Methane hydrates are frozen chunks of ice that contain methane gas and are found at the bottom of the ocean. They are formed when methane from decomposed organic matter is trapped within water molecules under high pressure and low temperature conditions.
Implications on Warming Oceans
Methane hydrates have implications on warming oceans because methane is a potent greenhouse gas. When methane hydrates melt due to rising temperatures in the ocean, they release methane gas into the atmosphere, which further accelerates global warming. This creates a positive feedback loop where the increased methane contributes to even higher temperatures, leading to more melting of methane hydrates.