The Project

Our Mission /Objectives

  • The aim of BLUEL is to monitor, in long-term, the fluid flow (CH4 and H2S) from the submarine active pockmark (crater-like features) field of Patras Gulf and to investigate its relationship to earthquake activity in western Greece.
  • The major objective of BLUEL is to examine the occurrence of potential changes in the fluid flow behaviour from the pockmarks during and after earthquakes, as well as prior to earthquakes in order to understand whether or not they can be considered as earthquake precursors.
  • In addition, BLUEL will examine another issue of worldwide scientific interest: the contribution of the seabed fluid flow to global warming through the seepage of CH4 into the atmosphere.

Impact

The findings of BLUEL are expected to contribute to challenges linked to earthquakes. The results of this project are expected to benefit those who live in coastal zones and use offshore resources in earthquake prone areas around the world. Furthermore, the findings are expected to contribute to:

(i) safeguarding the operation of coastal and offshore infrastructures (harbours, oil platforms, wind power parks, bridges and submarine cables) and

(ii) ensuring safe and sustainable exploitation of marine resources