Methane Leaks
Coal · 11 Feb 2026

Methane plume detected in United States

On 11 Feb 2026, the EMIT - NASA satellite saw methane escaping at about 1,342 kg/h from a coal mine.

Satellite map of methane plume locations in United States
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1,342 kg/h
± 469 kg/h (UNEP uncertainty)

If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 32.2 tonnes of methane.

Detected
11 Feb 2026 · 18:50 UTC
Satellite
EMIT - NASA
Sector
Coal
Wind
Plume drifting towards the SE · 3.7 m/s
Coordinates
37.76867, -81.25685
Open in Google Maps (satellite)
UNEP plume ID
ac84bfad-c464-48c6-b973-aabc1c995f97

Likely operator

ARCH RESOURCES INC Strong evidence

Draft research (cites A1): The ICG Beckley coal mine, operated by Arch Resources, is only 1.54 km from the plume site and matches the coal sector designation, making it the most plausible emission source despite no closer infrastructure being listed.

Emitting site

USA_S_269 · Venting shaft
13 plumes detected at this site

Status

UNEP has not recorded a notification for this plume.

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Cite as: UNEP IMEO MARS plume ac84bfad-c464-48c6-b973-aabc1c995f97, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/ac84bfad-c464-48c6-b973-aabc1c995f97), accessed 4 Oct 2026.