Story: Atmosphere

Methane maker

Methane maker

Methane is one of the three most important gases that cause the earth’s lower atmosphere to warm. It is produced by cud-chewing animals, such as cows and sheep, as part of their normal digestive process. The average New Zealand dairy cow produces 90 kilograms of methane per year, mainly by burping.

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GNS Science
Reference: CN45566/11
Photograph by Lloyd Homer

Permission of GNS Science must be obtained before any use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Bill Allan, Katja Riedel, Richard McKenzie, Sylvia Nichol and Tom Clarkson, 'Atmosphere - Greenhouse gas measurements in New Zealand', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/6148/methane-maker (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by Bill Allan, Katja Riedel, Richard McKenzie, Sylvia Nichol and Tom Clarkson, published 12 Jun 2006