Methane's Effects on Sunlight Vary by Region - Cloud Radiative Effect (IMAGE)

DOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Methane's Effects on Sunlight Vary by Region - Cloud Radiative Effect

Caption

This simulation shows the impact clouds had on monthly-mean total solar absorption by methane from 2006 to 2010. Note the increase in solar absorption by methane over large stratus cloud formations off the west coasts of South America and southern Africa, along with the elevated forcing over the big convective storms above the equatorial oceans. Overall, in the presence of clouds methane is up to three times more powerful a solar absorber across 90 percent of Earth's surface

Credit

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

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