Satellite detection of methane outburst from an East African volcano

Magmatic intrusions into sedimentary rocks can mobilise carbon-based greenhouse gases, through the interaction between magma and organic-rich sediments. These processes have been linked to rapid climate changes in the past. However, we lack appropriate modern analogues for these systems, as most volcanic systems emit very little methane. In this study, we present the first confirmed satellite detection of methane emissions associated with a volcanic system, resulting from interactions between magma and sedimentary rocks. In early 2025, Fentale Volcano, Ethiopia, released >38.2 ± 3.9 kilo tonnes of methane, with 90% emitted within one month. Peak methane emission rates reached 157 ± 41 tonnes per hour, comparable to major industrial blowouts and orders of magnitude higher than typical volcanic systems emission rates, making this, to date, the largest observed natural point-source methane emission. The emissions followed the intrusion of ~1 km³ of magma into a 50 km long dyke that did not erupt. The release of methane and carbon dioxide coincided with localised ground subsidence, thermal anomalies and a persistent low-lying plume within Fentale’s caldera. We infer that the intrusion disrupted an impermeable cap, allowing for the sudden mobilisation of previously trapped gases. This single outburst, while small relative to annual emissions from natural and anthropogenic sources, demonstrates that some volcanoes can release methane episodically. These observations highlight the importance of satellite monitoring for detecting transient volcanic degassing and provide new insights into the mechanisms by which magmatic intrusions release carbon-based greenhouse gases.