Map of Japan drill site

Japan, showing location of the drill site (red dot) where the Research Consortium for Methane Hydrate Resources in Japan (MH21) produced methane from deepwater gas hydrate deposits in March 2013. The gas hydrate-bearing pressure cores studied by U.S. and Japanese researchers in January 2013 came from the same location. White curve shows trench where the Pacific plate subducts beneath Japan and the Philippine Sea plate. Black curve indicates the Nankai Trough, where the Philippine Sea plate subducts beneath Japan.