Methane's Effects on Sunlight Vary by Region (IMAGE)

DOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Methane's Effects on Sunlight Vary by Region

Caption

This simulation, showing the monthly-mean total solar absorption by methane from 2006 to 2010, indicates large regional variability in the gas' power to absorb incoming energy from the sun. Note the activity over the Sahara Desert, Arabian Peninsula, and portions of Australia - all places where bright, exposed surfaces reflect light upwards to make methane's absorptive properties up to 10 times stronger than elsewhere on Earth.

Credit

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

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