An observation from space put the spotlight on the industrial sector of MaipĂșA significant plume of gas was detected over the area, triggering field verification protocols and administrative procedures before the environmental authority.
The detection, attributed to the satellite Tanager-1 of the Carbon Mapper organization, pointed to a intense emission around noon, which raised alarms about the operational, health, and climate risks associated with methane leaks of this scale.
Where and how it was detected
According to Carbon Mapper data, the satellite's pass recorded an emission of the order of two tons per hour, originating in the industrial estate between Santa Marta and El Toqui streets, a strip with a high flow of trucks and warehouses.
The remote sensing instrument â deployed to map and quantify methane and COâ emissionsâ identified the plume in atmospheric conditions that favor contrast, allowing accurately locate the source and prioritize on-site inspection.
According to the shared coordinates, the spatial footprint of the plume coincides with a liquefied natural gas (LNG) transfer facility towards trucks, a coincidence that guides the first working hypotheses without ruling out other potential sources close.
The episode was recorded around 16:00 UTC (around 12:00 local time), a time period in which the mixing of the boundary layer facilitates the detection of gas columns over urban and industrial surfaces.
The estimated magnitude is equivalent to releasing the approximate contents of about a thousand domestic balls In one hour, an illustrative comparison that helps to measure the impact of the observed event.
What is known about the possible origin
The coincidence of the pen with a LNG transfer plant to vehicles suggests a point of interest for technical verification, although confirmation of the cause requires direct inspection and field measurements by the competent authorities.
In the indicated area they operate multiple companies and heavy logistics, so the investigation considers mobile equipment, connections, valves and possible operational episodes that may have generated the punctual release.
Complaint and institutional response
After the discovery, Marcelo mena, former Minister of the Environment and director of the Global Methane Hub, filed a complaint with the Superintendency of the Environment (SMA) for alleged non-compliance with environmental management instruments.
The presentation emphasizes the legal obligation to report dangerous leaks, especially near inhabited areas, and requests an inspection by possible infringement of the RCA and regulations of the Metropolitan Region's decontamination plan.
Carbon Mapper contributed coordinates and satellite evidence of the episode, including the flow estimate and the spatial footprint, inputs that facilitate delimit the perimeter of the inspection and evaluate preventive measures.
Municipal inspection and first measures
The Municipality of MaipĂș reported that activated inspections in the industrial park after receiving the information. In that operation, they detected significant irregularities in a company, including the lack of a patent and unmet environmental requirements.
As an immediate action, the municipality indicated the temporary ban on operation of the affected facility and filed complaints with the Local Police Court, along with a administrative deadline to regularize the situation.
In parallel, information was shared with emergency bodies to strengthen preventive surveillance in the area and be alert to any new alerts that may arise in the area.
Health and climate risks
Health specialists explain that methane, in high concentrations, displaces oxygen, so in closed spaces it can cause hypoxia with dizziness, headaches or loss of consciousness, in addition to operational risks due to its flammability.
Outdoors, the plume tends to dilute, but its contribution to the atmosphere is not harmless: methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a high capacity to trap heat in the short term, contributing to global warming.
In the national context, specialists point out that close to 60% of methane emissions in Chile would come from landfills due to the decomposition of organic matter, without prejudice to outbreaks in industrial areas and fuel transportation.
In MaipĂș, organizations and neighbors have warned about collections of organic and flammable waste in industrial areas - which do not correspond to landfills -, practices that increase the environmental and safety risk and demand greater control.
Monitoring and next steps
The complaint to the SMA should result in investigations, responsibilities and possible sanctions, while operators are expected to strengthen leak detection protocols, monitoring and contingency plans.
High-resolution satellite technologyâsuch as Tanager-1â adds a valuable layer of public transparency, but its effectiveness grows when integrated with on-site inspections and direct measurements that allow confirming origin, quantifying impacts and prevent new episodes.
The case leaves clear lessons: satellite alerting accelerates the response, local oversight can apply precautionary measures quickly and scientific evidence supports control methane due to its effect on health and the climate.
With the investigation underway and actions already deployed, the priority is to correct operational failures, raise safety standards and maintain coordinated monitoring to reduce fugitive emissions in the industrial sector of MaipĂș.
