Figure 3. Expected volume-pressure curves for cores with (Path A) CH₄ hydrate and dissolved CH₄ in seawater, and (Path B) only dissolved CH₄ in seawater as pressure is released through incremental gas volume loss over time at isothermal conditions (here 5ºC). Initial conditions for Path A cores are CH₄ molality of 0.09 mol/kg and pressure of 18 MPa; initial conditions for Path B cores are CH₄ molality of 0.025 mol/kg and pressure of 18 MPa. Solid lines represent cores with a water volume of 1 L, whereas stippled lines represent cores with a water volume of 2 L. Note that this figure has been significantly modified from original figure by Hunt (1979, p. 161).