Methane Leaks
Coal · 12 Mar 2026

Methane plume detected in China

On 12 Mar 2026, the Sentinel-5P/TROPOMI - ESA satellite saw methane escaping at about 30,000 kg/h from a coal mine.

Satellite map of methane plume locations in China
Map imagery © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap © MaxarOpen the interactive map →

30,000 kg/h
± 13,000 kg/h (UNEP uncertainty)

If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 720 tonnes of methane.

Detected
12 Mar 2026 · 05:15 UTC
Satellite
Sentinel-5P/TROPOMI - ESA
Sector
Coal
Wind
Plume drifting towards the W · 3.9 m/s
Coordinates
32.84, 116.65
Open in Google Maps (satellite)
UNEP plume ID
b7d6cdf6-1a51-4d91-bda1-a60b25f73689

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.

Push for action

Find the operator's contact details and send a ready-made, evidence-based email in about two minutes.

Write to the operator →

Get alerts for China

We'll email you when UNEP publishes new plumes here. No account needed. Unsubscribe in one click.

We only use your email to send these alerts.

Cite as: UNEP IMEO MARS plume b7d6cdf6-1a51-4d91-bda1-a60b25f73689, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/b7d6cdf6-1a51-4d91-bda1-a60b25f73689), accessed 5 Oct 2026.