Methane Leaks
Coal · 17 Apr 2025

Methane plume detected in United States

On 17 Apr 2025, the EMIT - NASA satellite saw methane escaping at about 586 kg/h from a coal mine.

Satellite map of methane plume locations in United States
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586 kg/h
± 128 kg/h (UNEP uncertainty)

If it continued at this rate for 24 hours it would release about 14.1 tonnes of methane.

Detected
17 Apr 2025 · 17:36 UTC
Satellite
EMIT - NASA
Sector
Coal
Wind
Plume drifting towards the E · 1.1 m/s
Coordinates
37.76867, -81.25685
Open in Google Maps (satellite)
UNEP plume ID
dfd0f3f5-88f2-47fa-89ec-5d44fce58fca

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 dfd0f3f5-88f2-47fa-89ec-5d44fce58fca, via Methane Leaks (https://www.methaneleaks.com/plume/dfd0f3f5-88f2-47fa-89ec-5d44fce58fca), accessed 5 Oct 2026.