Vitrinite reflectance, basin thermal history, and a link to seafloor methane seeps, Cretaceous Western Interior Basin, United States Tim White, Penn State In this project we evaluate the presence of on an inverted vitrinite reflectance gradient possibly indicative of a hydrothermal fluid flow event that led to the formation of widespread methane seeps on the Cretaceous seafloor, locally called Teepee Buttes (A). While our best samples are obtained from coal seams we also study carbonized logs (B) and dispersed organic matter in marine shale (background). Our field effort is ambitious, including portions of 9 states - greatly exceeding our proposed study strategy. A B