Computer model visualizes carbon dioxide’s global journey

Scientists are seeing carbon dioxide in a new way thanks to a high-resolution computer model, according to a recent release from NASA’s Goddard Flight Center. The GEOS-5 model, built by NASA scientists, produced a high-resolution visualization of carbon dioxide’s path across the globe. Part of a simulation called Nature Run, the visualization also showed variation in carbon dioxide levels at different locations and seasons. The GEOS-5 is the first of its kind to show carbon dioxide’s journey in such detail.

Although carbon dioxide is a driving force in global warming, little is known about its journey from its origins to the atmosphere. By combining Nature Run and data from satellites, researchers will gain a deeper comprehension of carbon dioxide’s movement and predicting climate activity.

Top image: Carbon dioxide travels around the globe. (Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center / B. Putman)