The springs were exposed by retreating glaciers in Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean.
Scientists think the methane in the Svalbard springs comes from somewhere else.
The researchers estimate springs across the archipelago alone could represent about 2,000 tonnes of methane emissions a year.
Scientists have found springs full of methane bubbling near retreating glaciers in Svalbard.
Kleber suspects these methane emissions are only one of several "invisible feedback loops that we're just not aware of."
Persons:
—, hasn't, Gabrielle Kleber, Kleber, Andy Hodson, ", Rick Spinrad
Organizations:
Service, University of Cambridge, Nature Geoscience, International Energy Agency, NOAA
Locations:
Svalbard, Norwegian, Alaska, Norway