Hydrocarbon seeps and their associated chemosymbiosis-based communities have been documented throughout modern oceans, as well as in Neoproterozoic through Pleistocene aged rocks in the stratigraphic record. A particularly good record of ancient hydrocarbon seeps occurs in Mesozoic strata (Tithonian-Maastrichtian) along the western North American continental margin, cropping out throughout the Great Valley Group forearc strata and the Franciscan Complex. This extensive record allows for the comparison of the paleoecological signatures of stratigraphically and spatially related hydrocarbon seeps, which are geotectonically, petrographically, and isotopically consistent with each other.

This volume details the function of hydrocarbon seeps, their evolution over time, the most important seep occurrences and the fauna present in ancient hydrocarbon seeps. While several publications exist that cover modern seeps and vents, fossil seeps only constitute a small component of the literature. As such, many geologists, stratigraphers and paleontologists, as well as undergraduates and graduate students, are not very familiar with ancient hydrocarbon seep deposits and their associated fauna. This text is the first to comprehensively discuss the nature of such animal groups and how to recognize them. In addition to summarizing available knowledge on these topics for specialists in the field, this book offers the background needed to be of use to students as well as the wider community of geologists and paleontologists.