Definitions for "Cold seep"
a place on the sea floor where organic-rich fluids leak from the sediments below
an area of the continental slope where cold fluids leak into the water column. Typically these cold seeps contain high concentrations of methane and sulfide. Water from cold seeps is the same temperature as the surrounding seawater. Cold seeps are called "cold" to contrast them with the hot water from hydrothermal vents. See hydrothermal vent.
Cold water seeps slowly from the sea floor (the opposite of hot, hydrothermal vents); often rich in hydrogen sulphide, a compound toxic to most animal life.