Scientists at UNM conducted research to better study carbon emissions through fault systems in the East African Rift, according to a UNM press release, part of an effort to understand carbon emissions from the Earth’s interior and how it affects the atmosphere.
The research is funded by the NSF Tectonics Program, and is being directed by UNM Professor Tobias Fischer as part of a continued effort to quantify global emissions of CO2 from the Earth’s interior.
The scientists, led by UNM PHD student Hyunwoo Lee, set out to measure diffuse CO2 flux from the Magadi-Natron basin in the East African Rift, between Kenya and Tanzania.
“CO2 is the main source of the greenhouse effect,” the press release quoted Lee as saying. “Natural carbon emissions come from volcanoes and are derived from magma. Mostly, people have thought the major sources of magmatic emissions have come through active volcanic events. Our research is the first attempt to quantify magmatic CO2 gases from non-volcanic and continental rift regions.”
The EAR, the world’s largest active continental rift, is comprised through distinct western and eastern sectors, according to the press release. Several active volcanoes emit large volumes of CO2 including Nyiragongo in the Congo and Oldoinyo Lengai in Tanzania.
Sayyed Shah is assistant news editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at assistant-news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @DailyLobo.
