Scientists working in Svalbard, Norway have discovered that retreating glaciers are releasing methane, a potent greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. As glaciers retreat and expose newly exposed land, groundwater seeps upward and forms springs filled with ancient methane gas. The researchers found that the most intense gas flows occurred in regions with underground shale layers that are millions of years old. This suggests that the methane has been sequestered in ancient deposits of fossil fuels, such as natural gas and coal, and the removal of the cryospheric cap provided by glaciers or permafrost has allowed the gas to escape. The phenomenon could be happening in other places in the Arctic, potentially adding to global warming. The emissions from retreating glaciers would count as a different source of methane emissions, separate from thawing permafrost. The study estimates that 2,310 tons of methane could be emitted in Svalbard each year due to this process. The fear is that if the phenomenon is more widespread or worsens due to further glacial retreat, it could have significant global implications.