Posted on 12/31/2014 2:47:37 PM PST by smokingfrog
Scientists are beginning to question the ramifications of a giant Delaware-sized methane hot spot high up in the air. The “giant plume” is the largest collection of greenhouse gas in the air above the U.S. and is likely the result of natural gas leaks.
It’s located over a stretch of desert in Southeast New Mexico, and NASA scientists have studied the methane cloud as a potent climate changer for the past three years.
When it first appeared, scientists questioned its existence.
“We couldn’t be sure that the signal was real,” NASA researcher Christian Frankenberg told the Washington Post.
But NASA teams and University of Michigan scientists verified the methane “hot spot” in October. The study’s lead author Eric Kort says it’s unlikely that the methane emissions were caused by fracking alone, as the period in which scientists have studied the cloud predates “the widespread use of hydraulic fracturing.” Kort says the methane emissions are likely due instead to leaks in natural gas extraction and processing equipment in New Mexico's San Juan Basin.
"The results are indicative that emissions from established fossil fuel harvesting techniques are greater than inventoried," Kort said. "There's been so much attention on high-volume hydraulic fracturing, but we need to consider the industry as a whole."
Although not detectable by the naked eye, the cloud is visible from outer space. NASA scientists estimate the plume has reached over 2,500 square miles in the past decade.
It’s only the latest episode of documented massive gas leaks, and infrared cameras are currently being used to detect the natural gas surfacing from wells and compressors across the country.
Methane is considered to be twenty times more harmful a greenhouse gas than carbon-dioxide.
(Excerpt) Read more at us.sputniknews.com ...
Not mine I burn mine off when the bubbles break in the bathtub!
Country Joe, is that you? :)
/ obscure reference
It's actually parts per BILLION. See my post #28 above.
The other “hot spot” on that map is in the Southern end of California’s Central valley. So, yes, it could be a giant cow fart.
Me, too. If it is caused by natural gas extraction, why don’t we see it everywhere there are big gas fields? There is no hint of a similar spot anywhere else as far as I can tell, and that part of New Mexico doesn’t have radically more gas wells than any other area to my knowledge.
If wells, or formations were leaking that much, operators would surely have some hint.
Damn we have to call off the new ICE AGE...
Somehow “Giant” and “Delaware Sized” seem to be incongruous.
Well if your going to give the US an enema I think we’ve found the spot.
Smug Alert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWViRStTW5w
Yeah but it makes up 0.00017% of the earths atmosphere which liberals always seem to conveniently not mention.
I didn't know what you meant, but I see that the moderator has deleted my posting. I don't know why, unless it's because I inline'd a Washington Post graphic.
Here's the original article, where you can see the complete article that contains the graphic:
Monster Methane Cloud Inside Whitehouse
I guess nasa got interested in methane emissions as part of their new muslim outreach prime directive. How much methane is emitted in a heads-down-buttocks-up “prayer” session?
Thanks! Parts per BILLION. Oh My God!
He who smelt it dealt it.
So ?? Send up a sounding rocket with a payload of powdered magnesium, and light that sucker up. . . .
Thank you for the great laugh!
Which state was forced to take her 40 pounds of liposuction fat?
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