Methane plume detected in United States
On 4 Jan 2026, the Sentinel-5P/TROPOMI - ESA satellite saw methane escaping at about 6,000 kg/h from a waste site or landfill.
Evidence packet
If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 144 tonnes of methane.
- Detected
- 4 Jan 2026 · 18:03 UTC
- Satellite
- Sentinel-5P/TROPOMI - ESA
- Sector
- Waste / landfill
- Wind
- Plume drifting towards the S · 0.7 m/s
- Coordinates
- 36.96, -77.12
Open in Google Maps (satellite) - UNEP plume ID
26773d88-e17d-4744-bb85-8926c5a36c3e
Likely operator
We don't have enough evidence to name an operator for this site yet. If you know who runs it, tell us below.
Status
UNEP has not recorded a notification for this plume.
Nobody has reported contacting the operator through Methane Leaks yet.
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Cite as: UNEP IMEO MARS plume 26773d88-e17d-4744-bb85-8926c5a36c3e, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/26773d88-e17d-4744-bb85-8926c5a36c3e), accessed 4 Oct 2026.