The problem with that theory is that the methane released from the ground wouldn’t smell like rotten eggs. Natural methane is odorless, they have to put the “rotten egg” smell into it with an additive, otherwise nobody would notice if they had a gas leak.
It's sulfur dioxide that is making the smell, not methane. Mercaptan is added to methane and natural gas to make that rotten egg smell because it is a sulfer-based chemical, just like naturally occuring sulfer dioxide is - which is what people are smelling. No doubt methane and other natural gases are being released along with the sulfer dioxide.
That's why the Salton Sea story is bogus too - sulfer dioxide/rotten egg smell is NOT the same as dead fish smell. AND the winds have been flowing AWAY from LA, not towards LA, from the Salton Sea.
I don't live in the LA area. But if I did, I'd be OUT of there TONIGHT, for a few days, enjoying the high country somewhere, and watching the news!
The problem with that theory is that the methane released from the ground wouldn’t smell like rotten eggs. Natural methane is odorless, they have to put the “rotten egg” smell into it with an additive, otherwise nobody would notice if they had a gas leak.
I’ve got several wells that if I opened the casing the smell of hydrogen Sulfide would travel for miles. The tell tell sign of that gas is a natural rotten egg smell. Were I to do that and not wearing an escape pack I would be dead instantly. I’m around H2s daily and it don’t smell like rotten fish, I suspect it’s just a natural venting. Remeber in that area oil has made it’s way to the surface in some places. The Tar Pit’s.