
Methane - Wikipedia
Methane (US: / ˈmɛθeɪn / METH-ayn, UK: / ˈmiːθeɪn / MEE-thayn) is a chemical compound with the chemical formula CH4 (one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms). It is a group-14 hydride, …
Methane | Definition, Properties, Uses, & Facts | Britannica
Dec 21, 2025 · Methane, colorless, odorless gas that occurs abundantly in nature and as a product of certain human activities. Methane is the simplest member of the paraffin series of hydrocarbons and …
Importance of Methane - US EPA
Mar 3, 2025 · Methane (CH 4) is a hydrocarbon that is a primary component of natural gas. Methane is also a greenhouse gas (GHG), so its presence in the atmosphere affects the earth’s temperature and …
Methane and Climate Change: Why This Greenhouse Gas Matters …
4 days ago · Why methane is a powerful driver of climate change While not nearly as prevalent or long-lived in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, increasing methane emissions are a problem for the …
Methane - Earth Indicator - NASA Science
Sep 25, 2025 · Methane (CH4) is a potent greenhouse gas and is the second-largest contributor to Earth's warming after carbon dioxide (CO2). A molecule of methane traps more heat than a molecule …
Methane - Center for Science Education
Methane accounts for about 20% of the heating effects by all of the greenhouse gases combined. Both natural and human sources supply methane to Earth's atmosphere. Major natural sources of …
Facts about Methane - UNEP - UN Environment Programme
Jul 19, 2024 · Methane (CH4), the primary component of natural gas, is responsible for approximately a third of the warming we are experiencing today.
Methane facts and information | National Geographic
Methane is a simple gas, a single carbon atom with four arms of hydrogen atoms. Its time in the atmosphere is relatively fleeting compared to other greenhouse gases like CO 2 —any given methane...
Methane 101: Understanding the Second Most Important ... - EcoWatch
Aug 5, 2025 · Methane is the second most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide and is responsible for around one-third of current global heating. Atmospheric methane concentrations have …
What is methane and why is it a safety concern?
What is methane and why is it a safety concern? Methane (a gas composed of carbon and hydrogen) is produced two ways: Through biologic decomposition of organic matter at shallow depths. Swamps, …