SANTA BARBARA, Calif., July 20 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say methane escaping from the ocean floor may be affecting global warming cycles and climate changes more than previously believed.

University of California-Santa Barbara scientists say they developed the hypothesis while observing a massive blowout of methane from the ocean floor.

Atmospheric methane is at least 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide and is the most abundant organic compound in the atmosphere.

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