German Research Vessel R.V. Sonne visited New Zealand early this year to initiate a large collaborative research program involving IFM-GEOMAR (Germany), GNS Science and a number of New Zealand university. The aim of the project is to study gas hydrates in the offshore region of the North Island east coast, and in particular, to investigate local and regional processes of methane transport and the characterization of facies at cold vents and gas hydrate deposits along the Hikurangi margin. The survey included three legs from 11 January to 23 March 2007, during which a variety of geophysical, geochemical, biological and environmental data where acquired. The geophysical data will help investigate the structures, fluid flow conduits and possible connections to deeper fluid sources of vent sites
