Methane Super-Emitters From Space: How Satellites Detect the Biggest Climate Leaks
Methane “super-emitters” and the satellites catching them By Whispering Earth Methane (CH₄) is a greenhouse gas that heats the planet very strongly in the short term—about 82.5× stronger than CO₂ over 20 years . That’s why cutting methane can slow warming faster than many other actions. What are “super-emitters”? Methane doesn’t leak evenly. Often, a small number of big releases (like equipment failures or venting) create a large share of total emissions. In the U.S. oil and gas sector, EPA defines a methane “super-emitter event” as ≥100 kg/hour (measured by approved third-party methods). A region of enhanced methane is visible near Modesto, California. Credit: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio Why satellites matter Ground inspections are important, but they can miss leaks that start and stop quickly. Satellites help because they: Cover huge areas (including remote places) Revisit regularly (so leaks can be caught sooner) Create accountability (det...