Cold seeps are geological formations on the ocean floor where fluids rich in methane, hydrocarbons, and other organic materials are released from the Earth's crust. Unlike hydrothermal vents, which emit hot water and are powered by volcanic activity, cold seeps release fluids at much lower temperatures, typically at or near the temperature of the surrounding seawater. These seeps are often associated with the presence of gas hydrates, which are ice-like crystalline structures containing methane.
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