Figure 1

(a) Bathymetric map of the WesternBarents Sea showing the location of the Bear Island Trough and of the study area (box). (b) Distribution of gas flares (black polygons) around Leirdjupet Fault Complex (the dashed line marks the main fault). (c) Distribution of the sediment cores in the Pockmark area (cores 1141MC, 1143GC) and reference core 1145GC. (d) Distribution of sediment cores in the Ploughmark area. (e) Methane-derived authigenic carbonates (MDAC) and methane bubbles in the Pockmark area. (f) Bacterial mats in the Ploughmark area. (g) Non-seep area used as a reference site.