Methane hydrates extend at least partially beneath the Hudson Canyon region, as indicated by bottom simulating reflectors about 500 meters below the seafloor on seismic reflection profiles of portions of the continental slope and rise (Dillon et al., 1995). Our synthesis of prior multidisciplinary collaborative investigations of this region, and results of our participation in the NOAA Ocean Exploration Program 2001 Deep East Hudson Canyon expedition (Figures 1 and 2), reveal a history of ongoing dynamic processes inferred to result from methane disassociation. These processes include active venting of methane from discrete zones between the outer continental shelf (200 m water depth) and the middle continental rise (3500 m water depth) indicated by geochemical profiles and bottom surveys, and evidence of slope failure on scales from local to regional (Rona et al., 2000). Slope failure occurs in the form of slumping of apparent Eocene chalk from the base of the continental slope onto the upper rise inferred to have been driven by fluid pressure (Dugan and Flemings, 2000), and ongoing gravitational gliding of strata at low seafloor inclinations (~1o) on the rise explained by destabilization of sedimentary strata by fluid pressure (liquid and gas) trapped within the strata (Rona, 1969). The release of methane in the Hudson Canyon region has the usual implications as a contributor to climate change, and as an energy source for the possible presence of chemosynthetic ecosystems. Specific to this region as a hub of trans-Atlantic fiber-optic cables offshore the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area (Figure 3), the trapped fluids and evidence of fresh slumps and glides have implications for the recurrence of mass gravitational movements that could disrupt the nexus of seafloor communications cables.