Four Corner Methane Mystery In Southwestern United States

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The Four Corners region in the southwestern United States – the hot spots, near the Four Corners intersection of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah- has largest concentration of the methane gas. According to satellite data gathered by scientists at NASA, levels of methane in the region are more than triple the standard ground-based estimate of the greenhouse gas. Scientists actually first noticed the data years ago, but the measurements obtained were so extreme that they wanted to wait a few years before investigating the region in detail.

Last year, researchers at the University of Michigan and NASA conducted a detailed analysis using images from a European satellite taken from 2003-2009.

Now, a team of researchers from NASA and several other universities are attempting to unravel the mystery behind the methane “hot spot” through a series of field experiments.

Understanding the exact forces resulting in the extraordinarily high methane emissions in the region is not just an academic exercise. Based on satellite data gathered between 2003 and 2009, the hotspot, released 0.65 million tons of methane each year — accounting for about 10 percent of yearly emissions of the gas in the country.

Last year, researchers at the University of Michigan and NASA conducted a detailed analysis using images from a European satellite taken from 2003-2009.

This methane being a more potent heat-trapping gas than even carbon dioxide (CO2), the site is a major contributor to global warming, concerning scientists everywhere.