The amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in Earth’s atmosphere has steadily increased since 1960. CO2 levels are higher today than they have been in nearly 3 million years. CO2 contributes to rising global temperatures, as well ocean acidification. For decades, scientists have worked to better understand how CO2 moves through the atmosphere and interacts with Earth’s climate.
A new model from the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) helps unlock these insights. This NASA Scientific Visualization Studio video uses the GEOS model to map CO2 dispersion in unprecedented detail.
On the map, CO2 resembles wisps of smoke or dust drifting across Earth. The map emphasizes higher concentrations of CO2, with extreme amounts in orange. But it’s the level of detail that makes this map truly unique.
Thanks to the inclusion of more than 1 billion measurements, this map shows CO2 releases from individual points. Scientists estimate the model has 500 times the resolution of typical climate models. From wildfires to power plants, you can see orange bursts of CO2 that get swept into the atmosphere and disperse.
You can also see the rhythmic pulse of CO2 release. Wildfires and human activity surge CO2 levels during the day before tapering off at night. In areas with lots of vegetation, we see the opposite pattern. Through photosynthesis, plants ingest CO2 during the day and respire it back into the atmosphere at night.
These circulating plumes and pulses are compelling to watch. But they are more than just hypnotic visuals. This level of detail helps scientists understand how individual CO2 releases impact the atmosphere. And it provides a new perspective on how CO2 impacts global climate systems and patterns.
More to Explore
- Watch more NASA Scientific Visualization Studio visualizations about CO2.
- Take a deep dive into CO2 levels over time.
- Explore a year in the life of carbon dioxide.
