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Monster Methane Cloud Hovers Over Western U.S.
U.S.Sputnik News ^ | 12-30-14 | Raisa Camargo

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 ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: New Mexico
KEYWORDS: climatechange; climatechangehoax; fracking; globalwarming; globalwarminghoax; greenhousegas; methane; methanecloud; nasa; putinmedia; uranus
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To: smokingfrog

Not mine I burn mine off when the bubbles break in the bathtub!


41 posted on 12/31/2014 3:04:54 PM PST by dalereed
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To: Delta Dawn
Oh noes, we’re all gonna die!!!

Country Joe, is that you? :)

/ obscure reference

42 posted on 12/31/2014 3:04:56 PM PST by Defiant (How does a President reverse the actions of a dictator? An initial transition may be needed.)
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To: Trteamer
How many parts per million is the methane hullabaloo all about?

It's actually parts per BILLION. See my post #28 above.

43 posted on 12/31/2014 3:05:14 PM PST by justlurking (tagline removed, as demanded by Admin Moderator)
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To: justlurking

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.


44 posted on 12/31/2014 3:06:19 PM PST by glorgau
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To: The Cajun

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.


45 posted on 12/31/2014 3:07:17 PM PST by Red Boots
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To: smokingfrog

Damn we have to call off the new ICE AGE...


46 posted on 12/31/2014 3:07:24 PM PST by hosepipe (" This propaganda has been edited (specifically) to include some fully orbed hyperbole.. ")
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To: smokingfrog

Somehow “Giant” and “Delaware Sized” seem to be incongruous.


47 posted on 12/31/2014 3:07:32 PM PST by P-Marlowe (Saying that ISIL is not Islamic is like saying Obama is not an Idiot.)
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To: smokingfrog

Well if your going to give the US an enema I think we’ve found the spot.


48 posted on 12/31/2014 3:07:53 PM PST by Starstruck (If my reply offends, you probably don't understand sarcasm or criticism...or do.)
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To: smokingfrog
culprit found:


49 posted on 12/31/2014 3:08:08 PM PST by Mount Athos (A Giant luxury mega-mansion for Gore, a Government Green EcoShack made of poo for you)
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To: smokingfrog

Smug Alert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWViRStTW5w


50 posted on 12/31/2014 3:08:20 PM PST by Bryanw92 (Sic semper tyrannis)
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To: smokingfrog
Methane is considered to be twenty times more harmful a greenhouse gas than carbon-dioxide.

Yeah but it makes up 0.00017% of the earths atmosphere which liberals always seem to conveniently not mention.

51 posted on 12/31/2014 3:08:59 PM PST by GrandJediMasterYoda (Obama: 7 acts of blatant treason and counting.)
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To: RegulatorCountry
Yep, it’s gone.

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:

Methane plume in N.M.

52 posted on 12/31/2014 3:09:58 PM PST by justlurking (tagline removed, as demanded by Admin Moderator)
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To: smokingfrog

Monster Methane Cloud Inside Whitehouse

53 posted on 12/31/2014 3:10:59 PM PST by BerryDingle (I know how to deal with communists, I still wear their scars on my back from Hollywood-Ronald Reagan)
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To: smokingfrog

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?


54 posted on 12/31/2014 3:11:53 PM PST by samtheman
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To: justlurking

Thanks! Parts per BILLION. Oh My God!


55 posted on 12/31/2014 3:12:12 PM PST by Trteamer ( (Eat Meat, Wear Fur, Own Guns, FReep Leftists, Drive an SUV, Drill A.N.W.R., Drill the Gulf, Vote)
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To: justlurking
Parts per Billion....
The concentration in a football stadium is probably higher ,during a game.
56 posted on 12/31/2014 3:12:34 PM PST by moose07 (The Camels have reached Radiator Springs; Luigi knows what tyres they need.)
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To: smokingfrog

He who smelt it dealt it.


57 posted on 12/31/2014 3:12:54 PM PST by Uncle Miltie (Bush / Clinton 2016! Clinton / Bush 2020! Uniparty Rules!)
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To: smokingfrog

So ?? Send up a sounding rocket with a payload of powdered magnesium, and light that sucker up. . . .


58 posted on 12/31/2014 3:13:05 PM PST by Salgak (Peace through Superior Firepower. . . .)
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To: Mount Athos

Thank you for the great laugh!


59 posted on 12/31/2014 3:14:04 PM PST by Trteamer ( (Eat Meat, Wear Fur, Own Guns, FReep Leftists, Drive an SUV, Drill A.N.W.R., Drill the Gulf, Vote)
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To: PTBAA
Michelle Obama was out west recently..

Which state was forced to take her 40 pounds of liposuction fat?

60 posted on 12/31/2014 3:15:00 PM PST by mountainlion (Live well for those that did not make it back.)
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