Integrating these geological and biological results, this study demonstrates that there are active cold seeps with methane expulsions in several anticline hinge zones east of the associated thrust faults in water depths of 800 -1500 m of the frontal syn-collision accretionary prism Kaoping Slope. The existence of these high potential active cold seep sites is also supported by the occurrences of distinct bottom simulating reflectors (BSRs), shallow Terr. Atmos. Ocean. Sci., Vol. 17, No. 4, December 2006 680 sulfate-methane interface and high concentrations of dissolved methane in bottom water.