Geological factors controlling the formation, stability, and distribution of gas hydrates in the Timor Trough region were investigated by basin analysis. Geological, geophysical, and geochemical data from the region were assembled and evaluated to determine the relationships of geological environments and gas hydrates. The Timor Trough is located between the Indonesian island of Timor and the northwest margin of Australia. The floor of the Timor Trough is 1800 m to 3400 m deep and ranges in width from 3 to 20 km. The trough extends for about 600 km. The Timor Trough is part of the Banda Arc system; it is bounded to the west by the Java Trench and the Aru Basin to the east. 36 refs., 26 figs., 2 tabs.