NEW ZEALAND: The mysterious gases being emitted from the Four Corners region were first spotted from space
A mysterious methane “hot spot” that was first detected from space is being probed as scientists try to unravel its origins.
The plumes of potent greenhouse gas over the US Southwest Four Corners region have left experts baffled since they were spotted by the European Space Agency in 2003.
Levels of gases billowing from the region were found to be equal to nearly 10 percent of all US methane emissions from natural gas.
Now scientists are using special Nasa aircraft to try and measure the chemical eruptions to map out their source and solve the geological quandry.
The planes will carry two sensitive instruments – the Next-Generation Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRISng), which can detect and map methane in great detail, and the Hyperspectral Thermal Emission Spectrometer
