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SEEPMAR

Seismic Influence on Methane dynamics in the sea of MARmara

Funded by AQUARIUS Transnational Access Call 2

The SEEPMAR project (Seismic Events and methane seEP dynamics in the Sea of MARmara) aims to determine how recent seismic activity, in particular the April 2025 Mw 6.2 earthquake, modulates seafloor methane emissions and their fate within the water column in the Sea of Marmara.

Region of Operation: Sea of Marmara: Kumburgaz Basin (28°11′E–28°32′E and 40°48′N–40°53′N) where the magnitude 6.2 earthquake of 23 April 2025 ruptured a ~20 km section of the Marmara Fault. Mediterranean Sea

Research Infrastructure Used: RV Tubitak Marmara, AUV Barabas

“I am excited that AQUARIUS gives us a unique opportunity to access research infrastructures across European countries. With SEEPMAR, our interdisciplinary project, we will generate novel knowledge about how seismic activity has impacted seafloor gas emissions and triggers biogeochemical changes in the Sea of Marmara’s water column.”

Antoine Cremiere, Geo-Ocean

PARTNERS

MAIN OBJECTIVES

Earthquakes are among the most energetic natural processes shaping Earth’s surface, with the potential to trigger or enhance methane emissions from marine sediments. Such events influence local biogeochemical cycles and contribute to the global methane budget, which remains poorly constrained. The SEEPMAR project (Seismic Events and methane seEP dynamics in the Sea of MARmara) aims to determine how recent seismic activity, particularly the April 2025 Mw 6.2 earthquake, modulates seafloor methane emissions and their fate within the water column in the Sea of Marmara. Three objectives will guide the study: (1) Assess changes in gas emission distribution following recent seismicity; (2) Monitor short-term variations in methane and related parameters using a temporary seafloor observatory; (3) Track methane concentration and microbial community response in the water column. The cruise aboard the R/V TÜBİTAK Marmara will combine AUV-based acoustic mapping, and CTD profiling. By linking seismic activity to methane flux variability and microbial response, SEEPMAR will advance our understanding of tectonically driven carbon cycling and its potential feedbacks on oceanic systems.

MORE INFORMATION

AQUARIUS TA Project Name:

Seismic Influence on Methane dynamics in the sea of MARmara

Project acronym:

SEEPMAR

TA Project Unique ID:

74

Partners involved:

• Geo-Ocean
• VLIZ
• BEEP
• Leibniz-Institut für Ostseeforschung Warnemünde (IOW)
• Ifremer

Start date 

02 Nov 2026

End date 

12 Nov 2026

Mission Lighthouse Region

Black Sea/Mediterranean Sea – Sea of Marmara

Work/research geographical
area

Sea of Marmara: Kumburgaz Basin (28°11′E–28°32′E and 40°48′N–40°53′N) where the magnitude 6.2 earthquake of 23 April 2025 ruptured a ~20 km section of the Marmara Fault.

Names of RI facilities used

• RV Tubitak Marmara
• AUV Barabas

Scientific discipline(s)

Earth Sciences & Environment: Marine science/Oceanography

Principal Investigator
(PI) Affiliation

Antoine Cremiere