Methane Chimneys Not Related To Permafrost Thaw

Katey Walter: Researcher finds lake boiling with methane.

Walter said this summer’s fieldwork indicates that methane hotspots, such as the one she and the crew experienced, can come from various sources, not just thawing permafrost. Her next goal is to identify and quantify the sources of the methane hotspots around Alaska.

“It is unlikely that this methane plume was related to permafrost thaw,” said Walter, adding that the methane boiling out of the lake was more likely related to natural gas seepage.

Ms. Walter was also featured on NPR's All Things Considered. For more on methane chimneys see here.